Wedding Vows

By Jessica Lake

Sweetest Memory

You are my sun when near,

The rain of Heaven when afar;

Twice blessed, my love grows.

In my memory, you are here.

I feel the caress of your lips—

My heart leaps at each touch.

I know, over time,

Our memories entwine,

Till we are never the one

Without the other.

And as it may be, in age,

I must abide alone...

I will hold you here,

Among the living,

Until at the end

We are as one again.

Quiet Knowing

Oh, alas, I cannot match your vow,

But my love—

Though green—

Is not evergreen.

Mine is a love that never grows.

A love that, with absence, fades.

And when I think on it,

I will know:

“Yes. We loved.”

And I’m sure it was deeply so.

But I will feel no warmth—

No touch,

nor caress.

When I think upon our love,

The knowing...

brings me joy.