Date Night

A small wedge of smoked gouda
dried hard on white china plate
Stale cracker crumbs a reminder
of the enchantment they called fate

A few dregs of warm tepid wine
on lip-stick smeared, crystal glass
Sparkle seems to have worn off
like gleam from tarnished brass

Dripped globs of postulated wax
once two warm golden flames
Instant romance lit by matchstick
dispelled the darkness of life’s shames

CD cases scattered like dead leafs
in some frenzied autumnal gale
Soft music purred yearning magic
old love songs that never fail

Dress on the couch, pants on a chair
panties deserted on the floor alone
Wilted red rose on the night table
keeps company with the phone

Last nights promises wrapped up
in rumpled sheets of dawn’s early light
She wonders if they’ll fall by the wayside
like the dewdrops fall at night

Morning whiskers kiss velvet skin
in a muffled voice she hears him say
Baby, I promise that I will love you
until my last dying day…