Embrace

I'd never held 

a man in my arms,

forty-five years married

and the closest
is a handshake, 

or one of these new 

man-hugs with my sons,

but there you were 

at my front door
almost immediately falling 

onto me,
I was surprised 

at your weight you not 

being a big man
but you pulled me down

and very shortly we were 

both on our knees
you crying, 

me confused,
I held you tightly, 

clasped you chest to chest, 

chin on your shoulder,
aware of your snot 

and tears on my ear,

then I saw the uniforms

she's dead Graham

Norma's dead!

© Graham Sherwood 05/2017/2024