first of autumn

the reception hummed
along. the first time many
of them had been together since spring.

light chatter and greetings enticed
her to accept a glass of wine
which immediately produced regret,
a tinge of heat that crept, then
built toward some new, personal
failure.

she had forgotten that he
would probably be there,
and was completely surprised by the hand
on her hip and the kiss
he stole at the back of her neck.

suddenly drowning
in a hot liquid pool of joy she
realized that with this kiss –
he had completely and forever
(for her)
trumped menopause.