Have You Got a Light Please?

Fumbling for my lighter I saw you: unlit cigarette awaiting illumination. I smiled - appealing for enlightenment, and you came to my rescue, igniting my interest with a spark of ardour. You struck the match that lit our love. You struck the match that made our match! Thoughts, dreams, hopes and plans kindled in the embers of that moment, and smouldered.... then bursting into flame, lighting our darkness. We built walls of assurance - a sanctuary of hopeful anticipation. We tended the garden of our desires, and pruned the doubts and fears until they withered and died with the failures of the past. We invested our lives in the vows we made. We committed to mutual commitment, and took the tentative connubial steps toward a future of togetherness - that was then - then - when love was all we had - we promised...... ....Our walls of affirmation still stand. Our flames of longing still dance in the moonlight and welcome the dawning of a new day. Sun-rays of optimism appear behind clouds of dissension and in the garden blooms of assurance shower us with petals of solidarity. We disagree, but agree to differ, and sit together on the fence called compromise to watch the sun set on our disparity....cordiality restored. We retire to the shelter of our home. You pour the wine, I strike a match - our hearts and hearth glow with confidence as the fire takes hold. Fumbling for my lighter you anticipate its loss ......and rescue me once more.