bright as shards of light

 

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