Inspired by Jane Cornwell’s image below.

The morning glowed, spring-scented,
the air seemed full of promise, contented
they talked of ordinary things, the commonplace–
conversation as comfortable as their pace–
the children, the news, that new restaurant—Thai–
that they never got to try–

Yet does he walk beside her—
there where the branches stir?
The pace still comfortable, the air still aglow?
There’s a sparkle on the water, catching the flow
of currents and light. Yet only one shadow, no talk–
the birds keep her company on her walk.

For Paul Brookes’ Ekphrastic Challenge, Day 22. I gave this a slight edit. Last week a woman at the park told me she missed her walking companion, her husband, who died this past year. I thought of her when I saw this image. You can see all the art and read the poems here.