Expiry Date

What a pleasant surprise, an
unexpected meeting in the right place
but the time off for too many years.
There was the familiar smiling face
puckered as mine was in pleasure
accompanied by the same
rescue dog we had last seen
all of us slightly worn with age.
Also there, another dog, this one
complete with male companion
a nice looking man, gentle like her
in appearance. As we hugged close
her so-pretty face close to mine
why the deep lines of care? This
single mother an aid to elderly
clients, her blond springy curls
tossing with verve and inner joy
the wellspring of contentment
reflecting genuine care, that care
etched deep in wide blue eyes and
a mapwork of creases. New male
friend caring for her welfare and his.
Her world of loneliness eased, so
why the pain glimpsed in the depths
of those blue pools? Puzzle solved
as she softly spoke of her 26-year-old
son awaiting a lung transplant, expiring.