By terry
Date: 20 November 2000

Two Days Before Thanksgiving ... on the Ridge

The flames are dying down a bit in the hearth, as I sit in this comfortable old chair
Feet resting on the stool you just covered with flannel
From my work shirt, torn by a branch of the tulip poplar I felled
Where lightning had gutted its core.

And reaching for the mug of steaming cider, you placed at hand,
I turned the page of a new novel, started just tonight, eyes fixing on the page in hand
But my mind refuses to concentrate on the words, my attention diverted
By a memory of you babygirl, from last winter, a year ago tomorrow, when you said those words that will forever echo through my soul.

“I promise to respect you, to hold your love safe in my heart and cherish you,
to support your spirit and to nurture your soul with an abiding love and trust that I will keep and hold sacred to the very core of my being, and I give you the covenant of my love as a gift, unconditional and free, that you alone may know my heart as your own, for as long as I have breath to breathe, and God allows this union to stand I offer you all of me.”

And I remember how the tears were falling freely down my cheeks at the beauty of the moment
The sacred feel of a holy union beginning at that very instant.
And the look on your face, along with the feel in my heart said it all
In a hushed, reverent moment of perfection when we became one.

And I can hear you up in the loft now, singing quietly as you write
As you create something loving again with the craft of your words and mind.
Unaware of our approaching anniversary, since it will be our first,
And totally consumed in planning our Thanksgiving dinner just two days away.

So I lay the book aside, pushing the stool away as I stand
And quietly go to the coat nook beside the door to retrieve my surprise.
And climbing the steps to the loft as stealthily as possible, I come up behind you working on your pc,
Sliding my arms around your shoulders and down to your belly in a fluid motion as my lips find the pulse of your neck.

And kissing my way to your ear, I linger there, whispering...
Happy Anniversary babygirl
A year ago tomorrow you pledged your love to me, and completed my heart
Here is a token of my love and my happiness, after this short, wonderful year.

And with that, I slipped a small box into your hands.
But the look of surprise and alarm on your face was enough to make me laugh
And warm my heart in a million ways.
As emotions flashed naked across your face, surprise, anxiety, love, longing, and yes, desire.

Removing the lid, a crystal globe slid out into your hands the snow inside becoming a flurry
As you raised it to eye level to gaze in to see what was inside
And again, the look of pure delight in those smoky eyes was enough to give me shivers…
Because you recognized the miniature ridge inside, the small cabin, with a light in the window.

And keeping my hands around yours and around the curved crystal, we turned the globe over and wound the key
And as the tones started playing, your smile grew larger as you recognized the melody
Celine Dion
Because You Loved Me

And sitting it on the nightstand, music serving as a background
You pulled me around, fully into those strong arms
And your kisses were like a thousand butterflies landing everywhere at once
Covering my face and neck and chest in delicious sensation

And in my ear, I heard you whisper lightly
Come closer beloved I have something for you
And as I felt the feather tick sigh beneath my back, I knew exactly how it felt just then
Warm, soft, comfortable, well used and well loved, and longing to wrap tight around you once again, as I will now my babygirl.
Happy Anniversary...our first on the ridge...
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