American River Review 2022 - copy - Flipbook - Page 24
A Picture of Us
By Angie Velarde
I’ve been told this is a picture of us.
Funny,
It doesn’t look like us.
Look at how she flows in her white dress
With her loving arms wrapped around him.
Look at how he smiles in his black coat
With his lips parted and his teeth bared.
Look at how they wear their love on their faces,
And open their hearts at the sight of each other.
He doesn’t have those creases
In the corners of his eyes,
Like you do.
His shoulders are strong and wide
Not yet overworked and pained,
Like yours are.
His hands are covered in fresh callouses,
Not weathered and cracked with age
Or aching from holding on too long.
His eyes have seen so little,
But feel that they’ve seen everything.
I envy what he does not yet know.
Her hand still wears that ring,
That one you saved and paid for
That I don’t.
Her brow doesn’t have that etch
That comes with frustration and age,
like mine does.
her body and mind aren’t broken
And held loosely together
Without being mended.
Her eyes have seen so little
And she’s ready to see everything.
I envy what she does not yet know:
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