by Eileen Rafter – Published with the author’s permission

“The sun danced on the snow with a glittering smile,
As two lovers sat quietly, alone for a while.
Then he turned and said, with a casual air,
(Though he blushed from his toes to the tips of his hair)
“I think I’d quite like to get married to you.”

“Well then,” she said, “well there’s a thought,
But what if we can’t vow to be all that we ought?
Can you promise me, say, you won’t grumble and shout
If I’m late yet again when we plan to go out?
For I know I can’t say that I’ll learn to ignore
Dirty socks and damp towels strewn all over the floor.
So if we can’t promise to be all that we should,
I’m not sure what to do, though the idea’s quite good.”

But he gently smiled and tilted his head
Till his lips met her ear, then softly he said,
“I promise, to weave my dreams into your own.
That wherever you breathe shall be my heart’s home.
I promise, that whether with rags or with gold I am blessed,
Your smile is the jewel I shall treasure the best.
Do you think then, my love, we should marry, do you?”

“Yes,” she said smiling “I do.”