Let me count the ways...
“Being in a long marriage is a little bit like that nice cup of coffee every morning – I might have it every day, but I still enjoy it.”
– Stephen Gains
With crowds around us in a line, we wait our turn.
I'm moved to take you tight in my arms and kiss you like lovers do.
I don't, lest we make a scene, but I ache with the desire to be reckless.
“I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed.”
- A. S. Byatt
We dine together, side by side.
Family across, together in strength.
We await the repast, but your proximity enflames.
Again, I'm struck and unleashed.
I would take your face in my hands and tell you of my passion.
But I steel myself to suffice with squeezing your knee out of sight.
“You and I, it’s as though we have been taught to kiss in heaven and sent down to earth together, to see if we know what we were taught.”
- Boris Pasternak
We must part ways, the day begun.
I kiss you on to your day's affairs.
But lo, you choose to respond with passion I recall from days when blood could boil
And I rejoice you'll come home again.
“A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.”
– Anonymous
We waited, befuddled. Confused, but unworried.
A quickening of breath, not long in the offing.
Then you show, the dress secured by wit, cunning and the love of our friends.
You arrive, in command.
I face a future with confidence, my betrothed and I embark.
We unite and set forth.
“Marriage: a relationship in which one person is always right and one person is the husband.”
– Anonymous
The walls loom high. The bastions unbreakable.
Your shrieks of just rage bring them down.
You bring your family hope.
I am stunned and in love.
“Being someone’s first love may be great, but to be their last is beyond perfect.”
– Anonymous
A coma envelops
A slumber prevails.
A weakness defeated.
You banish despair.
“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
– Elizabeth Browning
United the dragons, assembled the cards.
Threaded the wickets and launched from the mountain
You conjured dreams
Year upon year, no two were the same.
Wishes came true and you thought these were trifles.
“Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.”
--William Shakespeare
Across the market, hand in hand.
A thrill enthralls me.
I'm charged with sun.
How is it I can love you still, this impossible height?
