Marsheila Rockwell
The clouds roll in
Soot and silver
As he sets the table
For two
Candlesticks and roses
Their subtle perfume lost
Beneath the scent
Of impending rain
It’s their pearl anniversary
Thirty years
Since he met her
On a tempest-tossed sea
The grey-green waves
Reflected in her eyes
Her long, dark tresses
Mocking their fury
He pulls the chair back for her
And waits
As she makes her way slowly
Across the kitchen
Leaning heavily
On a driftwood cane
She is about to sit
When the storm breaks
Lightning flashes
Thunder
Once distant
Booms
Shaking their seaside home
The power goes out
And suddenly he sees her
As he had
Once before
In all her feral
Otherworldly beauty
Limned with electricity
Night-black locks
And sea-hued eyes
Shot through with sparks
Commanding the elements
To turn aside
From his crippled vessel
Then the lights blink back on
Her image resolves
And she is herself
Hunched and wrinkled
Her eyes bright with wit
But nothing more
Her white hair captured
In an untidy bun
He adjusts his glasses
“I think
I need to get
My prescription checked,â€
He says
Shaking his head
In bemusement
“Yes,†his wife
The earthbound
Lovebound
Storm goddess
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With a gentle
Secret smile
“Yes, you really do.â€
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