Together Again

she tied that stained vintage apron tight around her waist
she looked worn and weathered from the trials that she’d faced
she put biscuits in the oven and gravy on the stove
then sat at the table while down memory lane she drove
she pictured him back when he was young and thin and handsome
and remembered how he held her lonely heart for ransom
how he would hold her when she thought no one even cared
she missed him and she smiled at all the times they’d shared

and it felt like they were together again
just like they were two long-lost friends
skipping through the fields of clover
like their lives had started over
holding hands and midnight vigils
side-eyed looks and eye-brow wiggles
evening walks and secret wishes
big bear hugs and morning kisses
and as she sat there in her kitchen…
they were back together again.

then she thought of their first child, and how she and dad were scared
they welcomed this new life, even though they weren’t prepared.
how awful pain and suffering bore such peace into the world
this little girl who made them smile, and whose hair was tightly curled
then they added two more children to this place that they called home
how they’d hoped that their children wouldn’t ever feel alone
the babies crying and all the early morning feedings
then they started school and went to parent-teacher meetings
and lived out in the country on a farm built just for them
a barn rising from the ground, like a newfound ruby gem
and listened to the cows as they bellowed out their greeting
as they walked the country lane with their children quickly leading

and it felt like they were together again
just like they were four long-lost friends
her and those precious pretty babies
who at times would drive her crazy
with screaming fits and times of laughter
and never thought of what came after
they just lived their lives day by day
and cried when the children moved away
but as she sat there in her kitchen…
they were all back together again.

her one and only love left her alone some time ago
she lived and loved the best she could, back then she didn’t know
how quickly time would come and pass, as the hours sped away
they brought her to this moment where she sat in the chair today
with biscuits in the oven and the gravy piping hot
sitting by a table in a kitchen that time forgot
then looking out her window in the field out by the shed
seen the groundhogs digging holes and shot them all plumb dead
the glories of October and the frost out on the field
the maple leaves are turning and the weather’s getting chilled
it’s that time of year when the family’s coming in
to the corner of the country where the country life began

where we will be together again
just like those long-lost friends
making our way to her little farm
with all of its antiquated charm
with the biggest smiles on our faces
we hope to stay in her good graces
and having joy down in our hearts
as the family reunion starts
and in that little country kitchen
we will all be…together again.