The Kiss

Though I gaze upon your silent face
My memories seek another place
When you bend to seek my lips and yours
Touch as child and mother saw

A burning trust and tender love
In all hullos, goodnight, good-byes
With lips so gentle I feel their warmth
And see the arch which sweetly turned
On the tender lips where a smile was born.

Ah photo hanging on my wall
If I could but into life restore
I'd touch the lips caught in repose
And have them smile as before
When they bent to reach a mother's soul
Hullo, goodnight, just as before.

                (c) Helen Catherine Cramer
     1st February 1982