as time stood still

near the end

we took a trip to Middleburg

Virginia

where

she bought a lamp

in some

funky store

along main street.

i bought a cup

of coffee and waited for

her

on a bench,

staring at the stopped old

clock

along the promenade.

it was cold,

windy.

leaves thrashed about.

one day

i would carry that lamp

to the curb.