Lourdes

The smile was what you’d notice first
Before you’d even catch
The necklace and the earrings, which,
Of course, just had to match.

The stylish silver hair cut short
You’d note ‘cause it was thick
And then you’d focus on the clothes,
For color made her tick.

But most of all, it was the laugh –
Staccato, bold and loud.
You’d hear it in an audience
Or find her in a crowd.

And now that laugh’s been silenced.
How things change in just a minute!
The world will be a duller place
Without dear Lourdes in it.

(in memory of Lourdes Ayala)