a table near the open window
two glasses of chardonnay
a shared platter of cheeses and dried fruit

  first sips of chilled dry white

we talk about mothers and memories
your mother and you   Jewish families
your daughter's wedding   the twins
my mother's cancer   her lifetime belief
that I was a mistake   my sister a miracle

 sweetness of dried apricots

we talk about men and relationships
how if we'd played it differently
maybe we wouldn't be alone now
if I'd shown my feelings more
if you hadn't phones him just then…

tang of blue vein on water crackers

outside, the stillness of late afternoon broods
on the quiet water, the wind has gone
sun on our faces is warm

sea salt on our cheeks, tongues

you say this is the best time
the weather of the day is over and evening
can be different now

I am skeptical, as always, this calm
hiatus seeps into everything
an unbearable sadness

after-taste of wine on our lips