It’s sad to think of you alone
when you entered this world in an embracing cacophony
backseats overloaded with backward-facing long-legged laughs
and beds snug with warm bodies and late-night mumbles

from father’s house to husband’s
and evenings spent looking, talking, eating, smiling

I remember how you told me you’d be alright
I hadn’t yet learned that it was time to change places
I didn’t fill in the gaps where there had been color and music and sweet-smelling coffee
You told me you’d be alright.