Remember the sunset-stained beach,

the hard driftwood where we perched,

the squawking seagulls who tried to interrupt.

Remember the careful way you worded the question.

Remember my astonished "o"

--I could barely breathe--

I could not fathom how you knew my ring size.

No prince-charming kiss

ever tasted sweeter

than the way you set your lips on mine.

Ever so magical, the remembrance,

but the fairy tale we've lived ever after

has eclipsed the anticipation

gilding the sand and sea

and your tanned face

 on that sun-drenched May day.