we did not say goodbye

did not know this time to be the last

so we did not linger over tea

pausing between each sip

to look over the cup at each other

we did not let our hands clasp

even briefly as to register dear kinship

a touch of thanks for time spent deeply

a felt recognition of common ground

in the end this does not matter

the moments themselves have passed beyond

their taste their flavor their faint perfume

remain and I am grateful