A Promise

have curled under the weight of your smiles,

i will close mine, and rest assured- i will

remember the unwrinkled blue that once 

shook up my lungs and left me breathless-

i will remember the unlined hands that roved

over countless landscapes, conquering-

i will remember the shock of gold that crowned

you as the laughter rolled out from your lips-

how could the world turn on without you?
as long as i have mind to bend to memories,

you will burn on, brand-like, young as dawn,

no matter how your flame has faded since;

i will press you between pages

as you pressed yourself to me,

and all who'd care to read them.