I believe you cried
Gazing up
On the bench outside
Catching teardrops
Where gray clouds stormed
High above us
As if just to claim
They would stay,

When hope itself
Trickled down
Tall cathedral frames
Built from memory
While scanning bricks
Like foundations
Soon swept in floods
Over steps,

Since we once saw life
Taking shape
During hurricane calls
Losing power
Alone with rings
Nearly silver
But gold from pain
Feeling true –

How reality’s gale
Washes wounds
Whose hands extend
What’s reminded
When gathering hearts
Off of floorboards
Some creaky old church
Never hides,

Even though this dream
Always ends
Under stained glass halls
Barely realized
Seeing sleet and mist
Fogging mirrors
Which obscure my sleep
Morning greets

With her warmth now real
Nestled close
Forgetting again
There are reasons
Two people must share
One umbrella
For vows worth rain
Every night.

• J. Pigno