Hair tie

You left your hair tie in my car’s cupholder

Now I wear it around my wrist

Purple, stretchy

My fingers fidget

With the feeling of February last

Bodies entwined under the quilt

Your hair a golden mess upon the pillow

Curls rebelling against restraints…

We were untouched by the cold outside

But still untouched by the change of spring.

Coconut conditioner scent

And one stray gold hair

Bracelet of remembrance

My personal Rosary

I hold it like an O

Portal to a past

Where your patient words

And strong arms

Defied any kind of end.

Your hair never could be contained

You could never be contained

I watched you go. My calm, my comfort…

You left your hair tie in my car’s cupholder.