The first time I saw his face
his eyes twinkled with merriment
His jaw was strong but not obstinate
his voice kind and gentle

The first time we went out together
he brought me a sweet gift
four handmade bath soaps
cradled in a lovely paper-mache bag

The first time he kissed me
the Earth didn’t move
shooting stars did not fall
but my heart sang with joy

The first time we had an anniversary
he took me away to a lovely place
presented me an engraved bracelet
bearing the year we first met

The first time he went astray
due to circumstance, work and play
I feared my heart would burst
filled with abject loneliness and pain

The last time he went away
as the sun splashed down
dousing it’s rays in a Spring ocean
I remembered all the first times