|
Why the Engagement Has Yet to Be Announced
by Ken HarnischShe stumbles through Paradise
Wondering why he doesn’t break her fall
But he holds her hand tightly
And wonders back
Why she clings to him so
And what she hopes to gain
From making her knuckles white
Sweeping vistas assault their eyes
He says it is better here
In the sun , and says
Once again, how sorry
He is the mist is low
And the afternoon cold
How silly, she thinks
That he blames himself for the weather
And how darling that
He takes it as another burden
On rounded shoulders
Entirely his own
There is no talk of lust or love
At the lodge. He buys her
Coffee in a stylized cup
Made up to look like a Grecian Urn
She sips it daintily, the way
Her mother taught her
When they bought the hope chest
That day at Target.
Each day is another step
And the years have added
Them up until they number
In the thousands.
But as one foot crosses the other
On the slick, wet stones
He still holds her hand
Cradled in his long fingers
Except when she stumbles
Then he lets go
So she can, with dignity,
Break her own fall. 02/25/2009 Author's Note: ..if you've ever wondered, like I do, what takes some couples sooooo long.
Posted on 02/25/2009
Copyright © 2025 Ken Harnisch
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 02/25/09 at 03:11 PM Some couples should not be together. They stay together more out of habit and fear of being alone. You painted a picture of that kind of couple so eloquently. Good job- alot of food for thought! |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 07/24/09 at 06:02 AM Gees... I wish I could say, "Oh, I am glad I never do that." But I have been all to familiar with this handholding and unwillingness to allow the fall. Your images express the whole thing so well. |
| 
