outside the house it was dark
the sort of dim murkiness you’d find
in the middle of a mug of coffee
if you chanced therein to wander
the rain thudded down steadily
but she didn’t seem to mind
and if she didn’t, he didn’t either
they were tweeded up, wellies on
woolly muffler-wrapped and warm
distant thunder rumbles took bass
against the alto rain shimmer-song
and throaty whispering wind
they carelessly clasped each other’s hands
swinging arms down the lane like children
if wishes came true what would you want?
he queried curiously, imagining her rainbow
of off-the-wall, genuine answers
she stayed silent, sunk in thought-mires
i would wish her voice came hesitantly
that i would catch a cold tonight
and would be laid up for weeks
in front of a blazing piney fire
furthermore i would wish you’d visit
bring weighty tomes and read aloud
or discuss the deeps of theology
argue lewis and chesterton and the mystics
then i might wish we would fall quiet
a contemplative silence gazing at the fire
wandering in separate imaginations
what would you wish for?
he smiled in the darkness at her ramble
i would wish … he said mysteriously
that i could ask you another question
