She was ethereal in her beauty.
I always loved her of course.
But only from a respectful distance.
She collected glass animal's.

I always gave her one for birthdays.
She would kiss my cheek in thanks.
Not the kiss I craved but still a kiss.

Her perfect French braids
framing her lovely face.
I fantasized unfastening them
Slowly so her hair flowed
Like the soft spring rain
washing over my bare skin.

She would show me the
Intricate color mix
in her glass menagerie.
But I only saw the colors
of her hair her eyes her lips.

When the sickness came
Her skin became
taught and translucent like glass.
The weight loss
showing her frame
She looked more and more
like one of her
beloved glass collection.

Then when we lost her
She left her collection to me.
But the one I wanted
Was on a high shelf
Beyond the clouds
Far beyond my reach.