Lillian's Uncle Cippolla (A Villanelle)

Whenever we were together, we were young again
As when we had met six decades ago at Pitt.
Then you up and died and left me.

Once retired, we'd meet each month, come sun or rain.
I at the wheel, and on the passenger side you would sit.
Whenever we were together, we were young again.

How we'd shop – all over the Pennsylvania country,
Giddy like silly school girls through most of it.
Then you up and died and left me.

You taught me about antiques and French porcelain.
I taught you Italian to make up for it.
Whenever we were together, we were young again.

The Italian word cippolla means onion, and it tickled me
That you thought that so unbelievably funny, and yet –
Then you up and died and left me.

“I really really did have an Uncle Cippolla,” you said,
Whenever we were together, we were young again.
Then you up and died and left me.