Midnight, Lee’s Palace

The crowd parted.
After a forceful effort,
I could have a better look.

Your hair was longer,
But still the same colour,
Still hiding your eyes.

In the years that passed,
I had cut my own hair.
You wore a ring.

I wondered what she would think
If she knew
That you’d moved on
And left both of us behind.

—DEANNA MCFADDEN

(Originally published Christmas, 2005.)