Love to Me

     It is the passion of the first infusion and the intensity of admiration

that remains with us as an enduring afterglow.

     As it grows and matures it becomes a steadfast support for each

other, ruggedly there for the long run.

     It is a constant tenderness that deepens with the years accompanied

by a muscular loyalty and appreciation that just won’t quit.

     It is a shared mutual joy that stands firm through all seasons.

There remains for us

The stark white light

Of the Boston Winter.

There remain

Mittens and mufflers

And Cambert* Tea with muffins.

And the treasure

Of each act of care rendered.

January’s freshly fallen snow

Crunching beneath my L.L.Bean boot.

There remain the giggling children

With their sleds on a snowy hillside,

Childhood’s laughter above the Charles River.

Warm woolen overcoats,

The joy of falling in love in winter.

There remains for us each increment

Of intense happiness given to each other.

And later the children in puffy snowsuits

Rolling in the snow in pink-faced delight.

The utter grace of being alive

In the newly fallen Boston snow.