eyes that smile

creased around the edges

like a well-read love letter

her eyes reflect a past

in black and white

a photograph

of cream paper in a mailbox

anticipation

and butterflies.

her eyes skim

then scan

then read

then treasure.

deep blue

like the sea

upon which he sailed

the same

cerulean

that swallowed him up

when fire met water

a war within war

when man couldn't win.

her eyes wept

and pooled

salty tears brung her closer

sparkling stars

she sees

as she reaches up

her spotted

knobby hands

towards the endless sky

she looks at me.

"soon,

baby girl,

I join papa.

my eyes have seen much

but they ache

to see him."

I see my mother

and watch

her tired eyes

smile.