The rain falling calmly on the leaves
resembles a nighttime drive with you.
Like the peace that surrounds our words,
loud laughs. Not a worry.
A couch conversation
in a crowded room.
A few more laughs
and I can only hear you.
It’s important to find the beauty
hidden in the ugliest times.
To find the lake hiding behind the castle
is a good place to begin.
Snow-capped hills fill the void
between the towers and the sky.
And fog wraps the fortress walls
inviting only the curious.
The shadows from the spires
paint the lake in blue and gray.
A motion reminder of the luck
we have surrounded ourselves with.
What I would give to wake up here,
walk into town, breathe Christmas air.
But the lights don’t match up right now,
and one day the snow will fall.
Among the laughter
filling up the air with smiles,
this beautiful woman sits smirking
at the end of the table.
Aged and tired,
she recalls the times of 20 years prior,
looking to see if I could remember.
How could I forget?
61 and 4,
our trips to the store were magical.
Spoiled I was, always wanting a toy to play with.
Little has changed.
And her eyes gleamed
as I took over the storytelling.
She could not believe how appreciated
she’s been in my eyes all these years.
She’s my earliest memories,
my first adventures.
And as the sun sets,
I can only remember.
I love you forever,
for all that you have taught me,
And the smiles you gave me,
and this one that I gave to you.
Three times not enough
to remind me
of candy-filled rooms
and flying whistles.
Of how warm the notes look
during Christmas time
in the park. I don’t see you
past the yellow leaves.
I once surrendered to
dazzling lights and
carousel music.
Looking to see it once again.
A pat on the back
is all I ever wanted
but never asked for.
Don’t feel I had to.
I placed the curse on my search
with expectations set disastrously high.
Remember the playground days
of cute smiles and sandy eyes.
I swear it smells like autumn,
with warm days that turn
into chilled nights.
Earth make up your mind.
But I’m loving the potential,
for a calm November evening,
and the peaces of December,
which fall like snowflakes in my palms.
I kick the sand forward
as the sun opens its eyes.
I must hurry while
we’re still suspended in time.
You bring a beauty that all can admire,
It’s getting close to the smell of spices,
blended in with cold noses, family.
I want it wrapped up.
Your laugh rings warmer than the blanket.
The fog settles in, I see it every morning.
We are crazy to be out here in December.
But it’s crazier to believe we wouldn’t.
Did you read my mind?
I sweat out the thoughts that night.
But our smiles overshadowed
what was really going on.
More than expected.
Reality from thoughts.
Sort of shocked and shy.
I hope you didn’t mind.
Fiery when it counts.
Sweet like an Otter Pop on a hot day.
Careful and without a care.
I hope you didn’t mind.
Light the candles.
They flicker from here until
they meet the horizon.
Ride up and down the streets in awe.
Surround me
with the sea breeze.
Sun sets quietly
beneath my feet.
their silhouettes fly.
The sun is so beautiful
when it’s shy.
Turn off the house lights.
Sip the wine.
Dark club sounds brush her by.
This is life.
In slow motion
I walk in.
In the handshake,
a hint of sin.
Maybe she has an idea.
No, she doesn’t have a clue
of what I love to do
with a flick of the wrist.
The magic is working.
My capabilities are endless.
But you’re becoming careless.
Turn the lights up.
This is me screaming.
You’re motionless.
Emergency room please,
this one can’t handle it.
I followed her stretcher.
The door shuts behind me.
I waited until she opened her eyes.
Paradise.
I told her, “you really don’t know me.”
“But I want to,” she said.
“I’m everything you’ve ever wanted,” I explained.
She closed her eyes.