They look over the water
From grizzled visage
The years layered and weathered
On sentinel faces
She wonders if spring will come soon
And if the family of mallards will return this year
He is watching a crow fly and doesn’t answer
She did not need him to answer
After so many years
The most important conversations were silent
They overlook
They withstand the changing seasons
Growing older
Perhaps growing wiser
It’s hard to tell from here
Watching the bark shift in the dancing light
I think they are happy there
Together by the water
As their silences span days, and months, and years
I visit when I can
And listen to the wisdom
Left unsaid
Thrumming from the tree which
Holds them sacred
Vigilant couple
Watching over the water
Keeping an eye on the sky
I’ll be back
I tell them
But they know that maybe I will
And maybe I won’t
After I’ve left she tells him
They always think they know
And that’s their biggest flaw
He looks at the sky, empty now
And holds his peace
