Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Hawk Deck 10:17am

I stood on an August Deck

of The Yarmouth Ferry to Maine

with The Man I was to marry

— this was thirty years ago —

I told Him I was very happy

— He said He was too —

We had Our Nova Scotia Life

spread out before Us:

restoring an enchanting house

having Our First Baby

Our Son Peak

— The Core of My Family Unit —

to have and to hold for five years

until My Mother got sick and died

and I was no longer the same.

–

This August 31st

I stood again with Them

at The House No Longer Lived In

and They didn’t want Me to leave.

Peak’s Father gave Me

an unsolicited hug

and My Grown Son

looked at Me

half-smiling

wondering if I would stay.