At the top or the bottom
Our dreams joined becoming the same
New branches growing and moving as one creation
Roots strong, touching and merging.

Before we met we were joined in a divine way
Our paths converging on one another
Instant karmatic infatuation
We plant flowers together in our dreams
My heart knows you from before.

While I sleep tucked by your side
The universe stretches out and breathes
Birth and Death happen all around us
Safe in my cocoon with you
Who knows what has happened whilst we dreamt.

My arms around you
Your kisses like the good earth
Fill me like raindrops
Parched no more
Like the dawn I wake and see you
My love.

and she wondered -

is this the beginning of
another new beginning?

She remembers their first shared cup
underground coffeehouse, where
dim corners prompt honest conversation

Simple living doesn’t come simply
- they both learned the hard way -

But on this morning, in bed with this man
and these blankets and this favorite mug -

she sees clearly.

Muddly waters and blurred vision no match for them
making clumsy arrival at the lake home to sit on the dock
and watch the stars in her eyes, kids asleep.

Today she sits on the dock alone
smiles on this night of Independence.
He’s been gone 14 years now but she knows
he has anchored just outside the boat house,
silent and careful not to create too many waves,
patiently waiting until she’s ready for another ride.

leads one to feel more like a detective than a partner.

Time passes and feelings fade

But it threatens to pull them under
just the same.

They watch a special on TV about a giant catfish
163 pounds, would not want to wrestle this beast -

But somehow they ended up with that assignment.

This war should have never been
the battle lines were clearly drawn
Leave the fish alone
He was happy before you came along.

In the trenches the true test becomes
knowing when to stay and fight
and when to let it all slip away.

Then I grew up a little
and started to date
and a boy broke my heart
for the very first time
and all I could think
was how Happily Ever After would never be easy

Then I grew up some more
and I started to write
and the muses kept me up
I stared at the clock
night after night waiting for inspiration
and wondering if Happily Ever After would ever come easy

Now I know some things
about life and words
and what happiness is and isn’t
and I could tell you my things
and you could say yours
and that might make Happily Ever After a little easier

But since I was a kid
and as I grew up
and now as I go through life
I grew afraid of some things
and I won’t take some risks
even if it would make Happily Ever After… well, you know.