Four Sons on the Horizon

I saw us in the sunrise this morning

as my plane was taking off,

flaming glow of my wild heart

against the calm blue backdrop

of your bold humility.

I saw us in the family of six

sitting in the row ahead.

Glimpsing the future we dreamed,

I felt like I was looking at

you,

me,

us—

four young sons,

my eyes blue, your smile wide,

my reservation, your responsibility.

I saw us on the drive to the Cape,

your spirit lingering in the changing leaves,

mirroring your metamorphosis—

crimson, amber, gold,

before they return anew,

as they were meant to,

as we will again.

BIO

Madison Williams is a biomedical researcher and emerging poet living in Virginia. Her

work explores longing, devotion, and the liminal spaces between love and loss.