the sketch

i remember staring
at her elbow,

her arm.
where it led.

and beyond. i was taking
stock of
her

for memory.
a sketch, a photograph,
an image

impressed upon my mind.
i knew
it wouldn't be
long
in coming,

the necessary end that i
welcomed
and prayed for,
but

i wanted to remember this
arm
this elbow
and the places it led

for reasons
unknown.