Two Became One

A glance down the aisle at his bride dressed in white
He waited forever to get to this night
the exchanging of vows, rings and a kiss
all of their lives they waited for this
certain with laughter the tears would come,
they both said "I do" and the two became one

Not too much later it was quite the surprise
she held the pink plus sign in front of his eyes
"We're having a baby!" and his legs grew numb
9 months would bring them a daughter or son
after 15 hours of labor it was over and done
they held their new baby, and the two became one

A lifetime of memories, the thin and the thick
he couldn't believe that his true love was sick
he held her hand gently as her breathing grew weak
and with all of her energy she fought hard to speak
the dying words of a devoted wife
"thank you for being the love of my life"
she closed her eyes and he knew she was gone
and for the last time, the two became one.
 

Star Struck

It was right before dusk when he opened the car door for her. He hoped girls still noticed that type of thing. With consideration and grace she leaned over to unlock his door and open it. He watched her - studied her, and was overcome with adolescent nervousness and excitement. She was a keeper. His clammy hands confirmed it.

"Where are we going?" she asked. He chose not to say anything, knowing it would make her absolutely crazy. Getting her worked up was his favorite. She quit asking, and silently, a victory parade in his honor marched first through his head, and then to his heart.

The sun was beginning to set, and he knew had to hurry.
Under his left arm was a blanket that was older than them both. He rushed her. She sassed him. And so was the nature of their relationship. Soon, she could hear water and smell grass. This adventure was appealing to all of her senses.

"Come on," he called out. He reached out his right hand for her to hold, and she did. His hands were callused and strong, clearly indicating they'd been used for years of hard work. Yet there was this soft, inviting nature to them, too - they knew how to guide gently. She wondered if she'd ever felt safer. After a 5 minute walk they neared the bank of a river. She could barely believe where she was. With the river at her feet, she felt free. He loved this place and hoped that after tonight, she would, too..

They laid the blanket on the ground and sat. The soundtrack of rushing water and wind through the trees served to ease both of their nerves. He made her laugh, and she made him laugh. The sun was almost gone, and soon she would see what he really came to show her.

The moon was full and looked close enough to touch. On this, the clearest of nights, you could see what seemed like millions of stars unadulterated by artificial light, and noise for that matter. They were everywhere, and she couldn't soak in enough of it. He caught glimpses of her expression and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He pulled her closer to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. She had been wrong before - this was the safest she'd ever felt.

Leave Inhibition and Caution Behind

tell me your thoughts
and I'll tell you mine
we need only to seek
and surely we'll find
tell me the weight of what's on your mind
leave inhibition and caution behind
show me the measure of what's in your heart
unmask the demons that tear you apart
its a process of learning - its perfection, an art
the beginning of healing, it's here that we start
promise I'm safe 
and I'll bare you my soul
the cracks and the dents
the parts of the whole
from the bottom to the top of my self-made hole
repairing the damage, unmoved by its toll
free from bondage, burdens and guilt
safely affirmed in the love that we've built
slowly and surely we've learned to unwind
aware of the things that once made us blind
resisting deception of a most dangerous kind,
we've left inhibition and caution behind.