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

where they changed from a now disintegrated wardrobe

into her gown of red chiffon and his suit of black wool and silken mix.

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 betrothed seclusion ~ 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, still

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