Thirty-five / for Cathy

Thirty-five


Two numbers open
to possibilities-
the three and five
each with open cupped hand

Coral and Jade
are its traditional and modern
representations

It's a long time for people
to be together these days
but not to long for love
its symmetry
which defies math
or any defining number
rebuking any summation
or equal sign

Thirty-five is not a destination
but a mile marker
a momentary pause
on an odometer
to be be eclipsed

It is green with passion
green with hope
and ivory tough
to carry on
for the years
to come