“Love is something eternal. The aspect may change, but not the essence.”
C.S. Lewis

Many colored lights
Twinkling on the tree,
A fire crackling merrily
Behind a clear screen,
The aroma of
Orange and clove potpourri
Perfuming the air,
And you here beside me
Taking it all in
As we sip hot cocoa
And watch the snow
Blowing sideways
In the storm outside;
Tonight there is
No one else
In the world
But us,
Snuggled warmly together
Beneath the granny square afghan
I made in
My younger days,
Talking softly as we
Remember Christmases past,
When the kids were still kids
Filled with the wonder
Of the season,
When Santa would appear
After they had gone to bed
Leaving toys and candy
In exchange for cookies
And milk.
Some would say
We are old,
But tonight we are
Anything but!
Once more we are young
With your arm about me
My head snuggled
On your shoulder,
Our passion still present
But quiet now when
Compared to that
In our youth.
I'm thinking of the gifts
I've left you
Beneath the tree,
Most are common-sensible:
Flannel shirts,
New cowboy boots,
A sweater I lovingly,
Secretly knitted
In a deep wine color,
With matching scarf
And gloves, Imagining
How handsome you'll look
In your new finery,
When you reach into
Your breast pocket
And withdraw a small box.
“For you,” you murmur
With a tender smile,
“Open it now,
Tonight.”
I smile as I sit up
And take the box,
Carefully unwrapping it
In my maddening way
And gasp at what I find
Inside,
For there,
Nestled in blue velvet,
Sparkling brilliantly
In the light
Of the tree and fire
Rests a diamond
On a platinum band
“Oh!” I exclaim,
And my hand trembles
When you take the box
And remove its treasure.
Placing it above the
Plain band
On my left ring finger.
You then lift my chin
To gaze lovingly
Into my eyes and say,
“From first grade
I've loved you,
Forever more will I do so.
Will you marry me again?”
Unable to answer you with words
I bring your face closer
Where I kiss you with
All the fire still burning,
Banked, never quenched,
And brighter than the diamond
You've placed
On my hand

c. 2025