The Violets I Remember

Violets
The summer all the windows 
Had,
violets blooming on the sill.
It was the first time
I saw you cry
Your handsome face downcast and grim
With fists clenched
no sound or words
I felt lost in uncharted territory
Never in our days
had  we occasion for such grief
I sat there
with no words, and waited,
Waited for his breath to become even
for the jaw to unclench.
I took your hand in mine
and felt the strength and roughness of hard work
I wanted to hold you
but waited
Until you turned and finally saw me sitting there
A half smile lit your face
A brusque hello
and then you gathered me into your arms 
and buried your face deep into my neck
Deep racking sobs and a trembling like a fever 
I cried with you for our child,
for our bright joy and light
was gone.  
life was never the same.. 
After that summer of the violets I remember.