Posted on May 24, 2025 by Jenn Zatopek

THE FIRST AND LAST TIME

I want to show you a picture of us,
of cloudy skies and blue foothills,
but I can’t in good conscience share it.

Can’t show you how we stood on a hill
above pine and juniper forest,
can’t confirm how they smiled when I asked
if I could record the filming of a ghost.
Can’t say how we placed our arms
around each other’s shoulders,
giggling like school children
on that round mountain of joy. 

What do you do at the end of the world?
Who do you reach for?
Where does love go when they disappear?
Or is love everywhere?

Even the severed branches of our pin oak tree
grow tiny leaves which blossom now,
brightest green in late spring rains.

Image: Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe, New Mexico.