Appraisal

Now that there is
           gold in the trees
and we have returned
           to our winter woollens
and the full moon
           reflects the frost
and we must huddle
           together for warmth
it’s time to take stock
           of every moment shared
since our paths first
           crossed and our lips
first locked and our
           tongues first uttered
words of love
           before our dreams
go their separate ways
           and there is still
a before
           to be lived

John Lyons