Challenging Poetry

high school reunion

Celia hesitated at the gate
the wind cut up her sleeves
her bones ached
age was a curse
turning the face she remembered
into her grandmother’s

the high school had a new stone bench
near the birdbath
where he would wait for her
and they would meet again
finally
the last two schoolmates left
fifty-two years after graduation

he wouldn’t recognize her
she knew it
he had been tall
with eyes like the December sky
and she had only been
his girlfriend’s study buddy
with long blonde hair
held back with silver combs
her hair was short now
and silver blue

he stood for her
creaking upright
with one hand on the birdbath
she hobbled forward
her hands clutching the black safety
of her walker

“Buddy!”
“Celia!”
and with crackles in their voices
that made a mockery of memory
they spoke together
“I would have known your eyes
anywhere”