Ailish

by Noel Duffy

I felt the pebble of what once was
pass between us, beady and hard
and durable, as we always knew it
to be but had forgotten —
until we pulled close and kissed
and wrapped our limbs about each other
found comfort in touch upon our bodies.
He sleeps now beside me like before,
the patter of rain on the sill making me
drowsy with its rhythm. I will sleep awhile
and rest and when we wake we will smile
across the distance that recently seemed
so great between us, remembering
what has happened today and the words
we said –that all things may be forgiven
as we kiss and pull each other closer still,
husband and wife, and lovers again.