They walked on the snow covered city sidewalk
an old couple slowly gaited and unsure of their foothold.
Age had taken its toll
but the care for each other was unmistakable.

He stopped under the old streetlamp
she stopped and looked
into his kindly old face.
Holding her gently as always.
Looking into her grey eyes
still beautiful he thought
untouched by the ravages of time.

Do you remember? my love.
You smiled at me here so long ago.
so very long ago under this very lamp.
Her face lightened a smile flickered
He had always been romantic.
“yes, my darling I remember”.

The years fell away as leaves in the fall
and the icy world melted just for a moment.
In their moment of warmth,
he pulled her close to him.
Her body no longer old and frail
He felt the great woman inside her
the one he had loved forever.

I think of you in my dreams
join me in them, my love.
just for a moment.

It is forty-five years ago
You are wearing a gay printed summer dress
holding a single white rose
that I brought for you.

The music in the café plays a waltz.
It swells and halts
and elegant ladies
sit in red gilded chairs sipping coffee.

The summer breeze
of love blows into this room.
Your smile again enraptures my heart.
Your eyes darken as they find mine,
filling me with as yet unfulfilled promises.

We are drowning in the melody about us
the music takes our hearts and
shines them like the sunlight.
Just the single pure white rose
cupped in your hands.

She smiled at the memory.
Her visions sharing his
even after this long lifetime together.

"It is strange how one day
and a single white rose
can make lifetime lovers
from just friends."
she whispered.