just once in a lifetime

this moment, however spent and repented of,
however misrepresented in memory or history,
is going to happen once, just once in a lifetime.
just once in all lifetimes, for we are not alone
in this slippery stream of moments, where the rocks
are not so much stepping stones as opportunities
to find out how deep and cold flows the river.

I want to remember it well, and honestly,
without the pressure of those errant observers
who sit back and press their points with a click,
changing the channel when the going gets harsher
and the water flows too swift for their senses.
I want to remember you as perfectly as possible,
every line and curve and strand askew and true.

just once our lifetimes this moment will exist
then be gone, irrevocably spent like the day, faded,
the light wasted as we hid indoors and told ourselves
that there would always be tomorrow, as if one day
were fair barter for the other. a lie we tell ourselves
as when we refuse to say goodbye upon final parting.
and now the moment is gone. and so are you.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.