A Lifetime of love

She threw it softly on the lid
As if afraid to waken him
A crumpled rose from view was hid
Her future now looked very grim

Saying goodbye to his two friends
Thanked them for attending today
George said that ‘friendship never ends’
And he’d nothing to do anyway!

Dolly scowled and shook her head
Adjusted the old black hat she’d found
In the dusty box beneath the bed
Then heading homeward, she was bound

What would she do without her Ted
He’d always seen to everything
How would she sleep alone in bed
Would she hear the alarm bell ring.

Turning the key in the front door
It seemed so quiet in the hall
The noise of ticking, Nothing more
That ticking clock upon the wall.

Filling the kettle making tea
Reaching up for the silver tray
Placing two cups absent-mindedly
Taking one, put it away

Hands trembling she sat in the chair
Tears made tracks down her wrinkled face
She needed Ted, wished he was there
Placing cup on doily of lace

She took off her glasses, rubbed her eyes
She’d had a long day and was tired
Two turning up had been a surprise
Both men that Ted admired

They’d fought together during the war
Watched out for each other in life
They were with Ted the night before
He had taken her for his wife.

She fell into a slumber so deep
A sleep that was unplanned
She could see a staircase very steep
Ted stood there, holding out his hand

Their eyes met and fingers touched
Holding each other they kissed
Turning around hands tightly clutched
Climbed the stairway into the mist

She was found dead ten days later
she had passed away in her sleep
She was sent alone to her creator
There was no one else left to weep.

Eric Harvey.