Moment I Want to Capture in a Bottle, by Jillian Law

My parents dancing.

Swaying together to a Motown song, the dance floor full.

A moment where they like each other again,

A moment where they have fun together.

I can see it here, the people they were once

Before me, before the recession, before the hospitals

Before years and mental illness and bitterness set in

I join them occasionally, but I just like to watch.

They laugh together, his hand on her waist.

I can see them younger, dancing together at a bar

My dad knows all the words, sings softly

My mom wears red lipstick, lights up the room

Now they’re older, more worn

But still dancing, still together

Still here.