Gift of Gab

An emptied house still desires company
And the restir of associations
When a tenant is lost
and a woman becomes a widow.

The family fill softens hard reminders
Like rocking chairs and curio cabinets.

Lurking past dinner
On the old porch landing, uncles and cousins
Offer the comfort of consolation
and time-worn stories retold

As foolish as we are,
preferring that time stand still.
But still we breathe.
Losing time is what keeps us alive.