On Return to Vicksburg

He hungered then, for Vicksburg.
Was it a dream, or a mere mirage?
He had been so young, then.
Full of possibility.
This newness, this learning, this stretching.

The truck driver traveling with the one, who was another's wife. 
7 days until the interview and the baptism.
Mission president agreed, honest they were ...
Still the need for divorce and remarriage.

Then the one they met in the hospital.
Stage four was her cancer within a year she would be gone.
She gained a testimony of the prophet, 
Listening to stories from The Book of Mormon.
Read by the one chain-smoking Camel cigarettes.
No cure would come,  yet peace would be restored.

What then does he return with, at the end,
His mom would come. to bring him home, from home...
He wanted his mom to share, in Vicksburg.
To see the growth and feel the love, of her son.

To leave the memories and bring the gift, of growth.
Never looking back, ever looking forward. 
Now in old age, it is the place he most wants to be.
To bring the one he raised the babies with.

To share with her his love, of Vicksburg.

When they wed

They where young, were they not,
when they wed.

Or where they not
but old.

How then to remember,
being young,

She taught him love,
Though learned he slow.

After these 30 years years,
yet many he is still,  learning

Will he ever listen, to her.

As time draws close,
is their time still,

To learn, to listen,  to love,

Now they are old, yet still so young

Steven Bassett
July 25 2015
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