For 52 years we sang our song:
In harmony and in dissonance,
In prosperity and poverty,
In sickness and health, we did our dance.
I confess it's tough to sing solo;
Your dear, clear voice anchored me on key.
But even mainstays can't endure
When Time gives way to Eternity.
My task is to learn to harmonize
With solitary reality.
I'm grateful you patterned the freedom
That allows me to sing authentically.
You can rest assured, my Beloved.
I am at home within my soul,
Joyful in Love, in community.
Just like you, I'm at One with the Whole.
I wrote an epilogue to my book to let readers know that Fred and Suzanne had passed in the years following the book's slice of life. This is the poem I chose with which to introduce this final bit.
It's finished. I've sent my approval for the final edit. Now I'm waiting. Pins and needles.