Breaking Bread

"Bread I broke with you was more than bread."

- Conrad Aiken

Dear Rose,

I think so often

of the time we shared,

the well-prepared

yet simple meals: ham loaf,

creamed peas, coleslaw,

or perhaps an omelette

and fresh asparagus.

On the drop-leaf table

there were likely a few

garden flowers, blue

salvia, marguerites, phlox.

And once there were freesias

from the florist. Now

that you are gone except

in spirit, those times

sustain me still.

There is more to breaking bread

than eating one's fill.