I wrote this for my wife Jane, who died of NET cancer December 10, 2010 on what would have been our 24th anniversary, September 2, 2013.

For Jane on Our 24th Anniversary

We cannot renew our vows today

We cannot renew our vows today.
We will not wake together,
Nor open cards and presents
As the sun rises.

We cannot renew our vows today.
We will not hold hands on some mountaintop,
Nor share soft kisses
Beneath the sun at noon.

We cannot renew our vows today.
We will not share an evening meal,
Nor toast another dozen years
At sunset.

We cannot renew our vows today.
We will not sleep entwined,
Nor whisper wishes
To the moon and stars.

We cannot renew our vows today.
You lie beneath the hilltop
And skirt the heavens.
I walk the earth.

We cannot renew our vows today,
And I am drowned in salted rain.
–Harry Proudfoot