I’ll think of her when the sparrows whistle at 4:00
When the traffic echoes the relentlessness of living
And the gardener collects the tree’s lost dreams
I’ll think of her when the kettle whines, about to overflow
And as we take our shoes off at the front door
I’ll think of her when my gown holds my neck
Her body dainty enough to fit under its lee
Cradled to me, our breaths in sync
I’ll think of her as our bedroom clock ticks through another night
Its hands a persistent reminder of the life ahead missing her
I’ll think of her when the orchids bloom
And the petals fall month after month
When the dawn comes and the dusk leaves
I’ll think of her when summer turns to autumn
And we grow through another year
When my sleep breaks and my half-slumber searches for her
And when the sage walls reflect the midnight moon
I’ll think of her when the shadows threaten
When the others hesitate at her name
And the chill of grieving motherhood creeps into my core
I’ll think of her when weak and seeking strength
Her love making me braver with each passing day
I’ll think of her in the curve of her father’s elbow
As he rests his head to sleep
In the song of his heartbeat
And in the shape his lips take when content
I’ll think of her when I look in the mirror
In the colour of my hair and the nook of my ears
I’ll think of her when my eyes shimmer after a long night
And the raven pools peek through
Surprised every time
That when I look at my reflection, I also see her.
– For Aleiyah Lee