different milestones

 you told me tonight,

that you are celebrating the beautiful milestone

of a 28 year partnership this year.

it's difficult to think that this milestone

neighbours far more grim milestones.

you just lost your lifelong friend

into the arms of cancer.

another close friend had a melanoma escalate

into a brain tumour;

they won't be with us many moons longer.

tonight you told me

that your neighbour's health, 

which has been on a gentle decline the past few years,

is failing at an alarming velocity.

they too, won't be with us many moons longer.

it is difficult to stomach these milestones,

alongside yours.

you are meant to be with me forever.

it paralyses me to think you aren't much older

than these friends of yours. 

this is why i thank God for you almost every day.

you are the best gift i have been given 

on this spinning orb.

as a result my gratitude for you

is a well that will never run dry.

to move through life within your love

has made me the luckiest girl in the world.

this is what i will think about,

instead of the neighbouring milestones.