Before I get into this poem, let me first explain something. I wrote this in October of 2001, for a very special occasion. A picture must be painted before the poem can be fully appreciated.

Try to imagine a chilly October morning in the Midwest, and the sun is just coming up. A light frost covers the ground, making the grass a bit slick. Smells of dew and fallen leaves permeate the air, and my stomach is in knots. A surprise visit to the home of the love of my life, and I steal her off to her confusion. She has no idea what I am up to, and neither does anyone else that matter. (except my dad and hers…) There is a secluded woods where we liked to hike the trails once in awhile, and this is exactly where I was taking her.

Now the sun was just starting to peek through the trees, and deer were finishing their morning drink of water. We hiked for a short while and found an old wooden bench over looking the lake. I sat her down, and with trembling hands unfolded a piece of paper. She still had no idea what I was up to, but she could sense my nervousness.

and then I read from that paper:

Our New Life

Awake my darling, the sun has risen
A new day has begun
Life anew, Love anew
Together in this place
Smell the scents, feel the breeze
A warm ray of sunlight radiates your face
Smile my beauty, for God has smiled upon us
This journey we have started
Will last an eternity
I ask for your hand
I ask for your life
To become one with mine
Not for others
Not for desire
Not for passion or lust
But for Love
But for Us
Forever

Will you marry me, Cecilia?

I knelt down on one knee and fumbled open the box with the ring I had bought a few months before. She burst into tears and grabbed me around my neck. What an awesome day that was. And as we got back to the car, after a few moments of passionate kisses, the rain poured down. It was the perfect moment, for the perfect day, and with perfect timing, the rains held fast until we were safe inside the car…

-bryan j bailey