For it is up to you and me
to take solace
in nostalgia's arms

and our ability
to create
the everlasting
from fleeting moments.

you are
as fleetingly beautiful

as a mother’s tears
and a father’s pranks

a brother’s bachelorhood
and a best friend’s bad mood

a bride’s glittering jitters
and a handsome stranger’s smile.

in a world
full of
temporary things

you are
a perpetual
feeling.

I am filled time and again
with a heart-aching wonder
when I think

of the fire
and frost of memories

of the everlastingness
of love

the solace
of family
and the power
of prayer.

Live as many lives as you can.

we always knew
that good times came
with termination contracts
even if we weren't quite ready
to sign it.