I have waited for this day
The day after yesterday
The day before tomorrow.
Everything is perfect.
We are sitting on the park bench
I help you up on the feet
Your curls would sway in the wind
If you still had them.
It is a quiet day of winter.
I drop to a knee, and you gasp
I cannot, will not look up
I fumble with the ring
But then I say,
"Will you marry me?"
"But—"
"I know."
"What abo—"
"We'll make do."
"Are you sure?" you ask
Am I?
I grip your frail hands
I have never been more sure
I slip the ring on your finger.
And it slips back out.
Our guffaw is unanimous
The ring had been ordered an year ago
You were… more, back then.
Even still, I grope around in the grass
The ring will not slip this time
Our intertwined hands won't allow it.
We watch the sun peak through the trees
Watch the world wake up
If only this winter could last forever.