Poem: 1000 words

do you remember lazy summer days?
the lemonade you always used to make.
the way the mountains shimmered in the haze.
the laughter of the kids out on the lake.

do you remember autumn afternoons?
the creaking of our rockers on the porch.
the games of chess we played, the mournful loons,
the graceful dance of moths around the torch.

do you remember icy winter nights?
the shutters closed against the weather's ire.
the cosy glow when we turned out the lights.
the love we made in blankets by the fire.

do you remember mornings in the spring?
the budding of new life; the valley bloomed.
the times we woke to hear the bluebirds sing.
the church a-buzz as services resumed.

now children play but i don't hear them laugh;
the empty rockers greet the haunting cry;
the hearth is cold, my heart is torn in half.
why did you leave, my love? why did you die?