It's been one year since the day we met and annointed our love with sight and touch. Brought together by some unseen reason amongst a multitude of souls, each seeking, in his or her own way, that which was absent in their lives, and now to bring reason to our own life together.
Love, much known and shared so filled my anxious heart as I eagerly awaited the arrival of my fair lady Eve. For this was the day which would determine the direction and purpose of this, our new love. Outside, the cool, wet, somber day belied that which was to be, for indeed this was a beginning day and our life together lay within it's arms. As I walked the halls in this place of beauty, of lives and loves past, of fury and of solitude, I reflected upon our own life and wondered where and if it would fit in the annals of time and place so well spoken here before me. Indeed it was a day of questions, of unanswered hopes and fears. Would this day be the beginning of our life together? A young couple walks in. Would we leave as they had entered, matched and mated? The guard watches over his domain. Would he pause to wonder at our meeting? Would his mind ponder this new couple as mine had the two young lovers?
I stand outside huddled against the cold, wet mist and and watch for the one I have seen so many times in my dreams, but whose countenance has yet to shine on me and whose eyes have yet to show their welcome. As I gaze down the busy avenue at the people moving to and fro, one phrase stands out in my mind...is it she? A question asked many times, but as yet unanswered. A glance, a smile...no recognition...she passes on. Empty faces pass by, so many and yet not the one. I turn and pass through to the warmth inside. My mind wanders...oh, where is she, this woman of my dreams? When our eyes first meet will my heart find it's new home? Will our words of the screen become a foundation to our reality? Someone so wanted and truly needed approaches from her place and time. Does she know the strength of my feelings for her, my resolve? A smile warms my face as I realize that here, now, in this place I wait for my hearts greatest desire, known so well and much cherished, and yet still unknown to me. I have fallen in deep, deep love with her and yet have not beheld her smiling face. She has held me in her arms many times and yet I have never felt her embrace. I have kissed her sweet lips and yet their taste does not remain on mine. Her eyes have drawn me deep inside and yet their light has never yet shown me the way to her heart. But today, she will become real...for our love will find it's place. Will I know her when I see her? Will she be the one in my minds eye? Will her words and thoughts fit me with their accustomed ease as reality is lent to them? I know it to be so for our love is real even though as yet it lies in wait for it's true passion.
A noise...a rush of cool air...I turn, and in that single instant my life begins anew. Before me stands my hearts true desire...it's reason for being...unknown till now in it's own form and space. My whole world stops. A momentary trance takes hold of me. A coldness passes through me as my life, till this time and place, now releases from deep inside. I am empty...all focused in her eyes. I feel a gentleness as the life within her eyes begins to fill my emptiness. Slowly at first...tentatively...but with a growing strength born of our love, I feel the essence of her heart pass into mine and fill me with her sweet precious life. Mere seconds have passed, yet all that was, in my life, has changed forever. I am alive! I try to speak, but falter slightly, for my words must be all sure in their purpose for now they fall directly upon her. Her smile, unsure, questioning reaches out with all its innocence and beauty and bathes me in it's warmth. Her eyes grow clearer through the mist of my trance and their rich beauty fills my soul. A line has been crossed...a chasm bridged...a finality set to the purpose of this day, for the meet has been made, the final link forged. We are now in reality's place. A quick hello...a few hastilly formed words...forgotten moments. Coats are checked as if to set a place. A sign is read...a silent yes...a gift to be cherished, and the locker door is closed. The guardian of the treasures within takes our tickets as we pass through the gate into our future. Quick, furtive glances are made...secret longings realized and given scope. Smiles are warmly exchanged and found to be so much more in reality. Does he? What is she thinking? Silent questions pass between us. The halls echo our first footsteps together...new music. A silence rests upon our ears as we pause...time stops as a gentle, sweet kiss, long practiced and dreamed of is exchanged. A warmth never felt before...a taste never so sweet. We move on.
Hand in hand, touch to touch, the two lovers walk...their love real and known, yet new again. Surrounded bu thoughts and dreams on canvas and in stone, their own drowning out the rest. An excitement fills the air, unknown to those they pass, but strong in each heart. They pause by a painting on the wall half seeing, half feeling the other's presence. The paint is old and cracked yet it still speaks from the artist's mind and heart. Thoughts, long past, yet new to their eyes, as is this, their day of discovery.
Who is this woman whose hand I hold, fingers entwined? I know her heart and mind yet the picture of her speaks anew to me. Eyes, lips, hair...visions fresh and new upon the canvas of my mind, replacing those long imagined. As a sculptor but chips away at the unneeded stone fragments to reveal the beauty which lies beneath, creating in earnest that which already exists, so too, I remove the foggy shroud to see the vision before me as it truly is. Paintings...thoughts and feelings in oil and ink...float by as we journey to an unknown destination, the journey itself, our goal. Their impressions speak to us from forgotten places and times, holding within worlds unto themselves. Yet all their richness and beauty, all the passion and life which lie within their shapes and colors, pale against the new sight which fills my eyes...that of my sweet Eve. Her sparkling eyes...her sweet smile...her visual aura, speak volumes to me as their sight completes the picture in my mind.
I have tasted her sweet kiss and felt her gentle touch many times. We have shared much together, rich in physical beauty, yet her warm presence screams out for reality's need. Around a corner, a hidden alcove speaks to us. We seek it's security and answer it's call with a warm embrace...so strong and sure in it's meaning, yet so new and unfamiliar in it's reality. As to hold that which has been oft held but never felt...an imagined feast who's taste in rich truth fills our senses and far surpasses any expectations. Feelings, long dreamt of and hungered for, shared at last in closeness and truth.
The day a blur as sights and sounds join with new feelings. Throught the front door they move now, as one, into the misty twilight. As they walk along the sidewalks and through the park, a comfort, gradually realized throughout the day finds it's place in them. Laughter and quiet words fill the air as they walk along creating memories of their first day together. Over the bridge and on to the fountain, quiet and still in it's winter's hiding, thoughts come of returning to see it's glory when time allows togetherness. She talks of school and days spent in the park...fond memories shared...all feeling right upon his ears, as Lincoln looks on in silence. Through the city streets they wander, towards no particular place, feeling only a deep need to be in each other's presence. Sights, sounds, places, people...all pass, unrecognized and unknown, for their focus is on one another...lost in the joy of closeness.
As darkness falls, a quiet time spent dining enters their thoughts. Into the warmth, they wind their way to a solitary table, surrounded by others, but as an oasis to their own end. A hush falls over the room as the background fades away leaving them alone in their own time and place. A silent ease grows between them and their eyes roam the nicknacks on the walls as their moment nears. Their eyes meet...all else known of past and present falls away...it's echo fading as their lives are locked together in a moment. A wave of emotion falls over me as I gaze into her eyes. I try to look away as the power of the moment almost overwhelms me, but all my senses are drawn to her. Who is this woman? What is this power she has over me? I feel swept inside her...her eyes a path to her heart and soul...pulled further and further into her depths...I am locked in her embrace. Not a word is spoken, and yet volumes are passed between us. Our love, seemingly destined by forces unknown, is consumated in this moment. All that we have ever been and all we will be is set forth upon our hearts. From this moment on we are charged with the keeping of this love.
Glasses ring as toasts are made...voices speak a jumbled symphony...a man helps his wife on with her coat...smiles glow and laughter rings out...people enter and leave, unaware, but they have witnessed a silent beginning. None will speak of this for they do not know...but life will never be the same for the two who sit silently and peacefully together, locked in love's embrace.
We are now one, forever linked, for our souls are joined together on this night and in this place.
Happy Anniversary my love, my Eve.
