bright as shards of light on river water
her smile, the laughter in her eyes
as she stands straight and slim
beside her love, their fingers interlaced
unthinking, the habit of long familiarity
now blessed with a new certainty;
he bends down to brush a kiss
against her lips at our demand,
brief and shy — once, twice, thrice — until finally
he breaks, and swoops her up into a kiss
long and slow and deep and sweet
fingers braced against her cheek, a kiss
to echo the brave words they’ve said
carrying memory of all their years behind
carrying promises for all the years ahead.
*****
for Sharmila and Ryan
on their wedding
with all my love