Years ago...

Years ago

a day

like any other

a sunrise – a sunset

much like any other,

we walk together

into a moving stream.

A clear creek heard

is the sound of which

on this summer day

is a splash of glass

or wind chime

or wind blowing

through Sweet Birch, Black Oak,

Table Mountain Pine or Silver

Maple leaf.

Clear – a reflection

and a mirror

into our fragile souls

looks back at us.

We stand

in a combination

of sunlight and shade

face to face

side by side

shoulder to shoulder

hand in hand

heart to heart -

captured by this bliss,

caressed by the moment,

consumed by our fierce love.

This baptism, this new joining,

this joyous communion of

sunlight and water is then –

witnessed by friends and family

committed to by words –

those words of our own choosing.

And as you speak

I cannot help but see

our rose petals – multicolored

dropped lovingly

by your sisters children

float beneath us – dazzling

on the surface of

transparent liquid earth.

We float away

with each petal

move downstream together

petal to petal

into the future of our moving water.

And today – thousands of miles

from our entry point,

we slow down to drift together

leaf upon leaf

both rapids and thin streams

behind us,

to feel the warmth

of the sun -

the cool of rain

and somehow to

come to understand

how - two ships at sea

voyage in progress.

can lend clarity to -

the deep longing

for companionship,

we share

as man and wife,

as partners

and as a loving couple.

Two rose petals

two different colors

two different sizes, shapes and textures

yet we are

ever drifting – side by side.

Lovers – loves

and ever friends.

J.E. Dorsey – for L.D. Napier on our anniversary.

Copyright © 2011. Doug Claybourne. All Rights Reserved.