"Chains do not hold a marriage together.
It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years."
Simone Signoret

Leaves of red and gold
Dance
In the chill autumn breeze
Like earthy jewels
Against an azure sky
While shaggy coated ponies
Spar playfully
Around the pasture confines,
Their antics
Scattering a flock
Of wild turkeys
Scratching for sustenance
In the rich
Appalachian soil.
In the distance
Smoke rises
From the chimney
Of a modest cabin,
Welcoming home
The driver
Of the aged pickup
That squeaks to a stop
In front of the porch.
The cabin door opens
And a golden retriever
Emerges from within,
Followed by a plump woman
With graying red hair,
Her shoulders wrapped
With a homespun shaw.
She smiles as she watches
The driver climb from the truck,
Her smile growing as he
Pats the dog's head,
All the while fussing at it
For getting in his way,
Before turning his attention
To her.
Neither speak
As he approaches
And slowly climbs the steps,
But their eyes meet
And volumes are spoken,
Before their lips meet
In a long, familiar kiss.
"Happy anniversary,"
He whispers as he draws away,
"Thank you for these thirty-five years."
Tears shimmer in her eyes
As he lifts her hand
And, after searching in his coat pocket,
He lays a small box
Atop her palm.
Lifting the lid
She gives a little gasp
As the pearl and emerald pendant
Winks at her
In the sunlight.
"Oh my!" she breathes
And a single tear escapes
To course down her cheek.
"It's so beautiful!"
"Not half as beautiful as you,"
He declares and kisses her again.
And as they enter the cabin
With his arm around her,
They close the door behind them,
Leaving the dog
To curl up on the welcome mat
With a sigh.

c. 2008

*Updated in honor of a very special couple, with heartfelt affection.*