THE PROTECTOR
An empty room, all but a sleeping dog,
the carrier of time and the memories of walls.
Many years ago, this was their bridal room
and they changed from a wardrobe now disintegrated,
into her gown of red and his suit of black.
The music crept upstairs and they could not resist
holding each other for the first time since their vows.
For a fleeting moment, the spirit of the future,
slowly followed step by step,
echoing their intimate waltze around this,
the first room they had shared.
Denying the old tale of umbrellas opened indoors,
he held his overhead, shadowing their rhythm
with discretion, shading this moment from
the taints of life to their future dreams
and they lived on, happily ever after,
protected by his invisible shield, until each were
old and gone, only to return
on the same day of every year.
(c) ZYDHA HART 2006