< 1
I saw us in the sunrise this morning
as my plane was taking off,
flaming glow of my wild heart
against the calm blue backdrop
of your bold humility.
I saw us in the family of six
sitting in the row ahead.
Glimpsing the future we dreamed,
I felt like I was looking at
you,
me,
us—
four young sons,
my eyes blue, your smile wide,
my reservation, your responsibility.
I saw us on the drive to the Cape,
your spirit lingering in the changing leaves,
mirroring your metamorphosis—
crimson, amber, gold,
before they return anew,
as they were meant to,
as we will again.
Madison Williams is a biomedical researcher and emerging poet living in Virginia. Her work explores longing, devotion, and the liminal spaces between love and loss.