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After You

we buried the treasure box together-
two dusty heads bobbing in the dirt
hands scratching at earth and
grime-caked nails, one for one and
two for two: forgetting which fingers
belonged to me
shiny faces watching earnestly as the metal box
slowly disappeared- rocks and grit skittering across the surface-
you grabbed my hand and I touched the oozing soil
around our treasure, the easy product of a
six year old girl and boy
who swore forever and ever
*
turning it over so that every scratched scar
matches the wrinkles etched in my palms, not a
more perfect fit than
the way tears mold themselves to the
withered lines down  my cheek
alone I stand amid fresh laid
earth
I think to sit and tumble to knees hands
catching fingers sinking nails deep- begin
to claw through the tears until
the treasure box falls deep within
the tomb
alone, one not two, sweeping dust
over the metal lid- crooked back and withered frame
time lost but time lost with you
I sit upon the marble stone to trace
my trembling fingers across your name, hallowed
pockets of skin puzzle pieces matching to your last
words; is it time?
I close my eyes and feel the earth beneath
my nails beneath my skin beneath my
heart
years gained in love are lost in parting
beyond grief I waste away
time goes back
ninety-two years old
91-90...5-4-3-2-1-0
nothing but dust
I'm following, after you
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