Like a penguin gifting pebbles
to his love interest, you offered me
your talented hands to spin the dial
of a combination lock. The tumblers
aligned, a locker door opened, & we were
thrust forward, closer each day to this
inevitable union.
Just kids at camp, we stumbled into
the periphery of each other, circling
like crows, those prankster birds.
Laughter landed us here.
A trumpet player —you knew where
to place your lips, how to press music
from metal valves. What can’t you do?
Always instigating. Adding more color,
more flourish — a manuscript illuminated.
Like the Book of Kells in Dublin, city where
we celebrated a decade of us & the memory
of that little church where we wed.
25 years, & still, I’m surprised:
a bottle of perfume or hidden notes
in that old locker, the endless beer in Prague
or a cast party crashed. Don’t we do it all?
Love is to be struck by wonderment.
Awe, as I watch you provide, & offer
your attentive care. Baby, I’m amazed
by you. Let’s thrive in this gorgeous chaos.
Bring your tiny butt, your brain. I’ll be
the heart, & our son, the proof of both.