Eighty Seven Candles

my mom's 85 year old partner
croons to her
"You're only....87....
but you're my...
teenage queen.."

she laughs
looks at him adoringly
as Sixteen Candles plays
on the ancient oldies station

how many their age
get to enjoy that song
more, sixty three years later
with someone they love
than they did in their early, respective lives

whether good karma
good luck
great attitudes
or a silver lining of mom's mild dementia
-her implicit unconditional, much reciprocated love for him-

their happiness
brings joy and light
into my not as happy life