The day Elvis died

I cried.

 

I woke up early for the forecast.

Rain or no rain - time - density -

Made a huge difference

In the activity of our Craft Shop

Especially over the lunch hour.

My mind was already clicking

With plans to cope.

The twins were still fast asleep.

My husband droned quietly beside me.

 

A sonorous voice intoned:

'We interrupt this programme …

Elvis Presley has died.'

And BAM! I burst into tears.

My startled husband reached over

'What on earth!'

'Elvis Presley has died,' I sobbed.

'OK. I'm sorry.

What's the matter with you?'

He was groggy.

I flopped back on the pillow

And buried my face under the sheet.

What WAS the matter with me?

 

Joy!

It was the joyful challenge

Of those early days,

That smile, frank and saucy.

And dancing!

Sharing that driving beat with exuberant friends

Through every fibre of your body

Wild - free – provocative.

Those pulsing, teenage years

Throwing off the tethers of children

Before adulthood must draw reins again.

Naive, wonderful years in celebration of Life -

Dancing – dancing – dancing!

Freedom.

It was freedom

Never after so completely known.

 

I had no idea how much I had loved him

Until the day he died

And I cried.