Random Thoughts On Love

By Edmund Siejka My wife is downstairs Reading a book While I lie in bed With the night light on She waits for silence Before tiptoeing upstairs To turn off the lights. Tonight I am restless Getting up I open the blinds Ever so slightly Across the way Soft street lights Throw a peaceful arc Illuminating Only what is in its path In the night I stare into darkness And think of my wife. Everyone has secrets What dreams Did she leave behind On her journey as wife Mother Cook Nurse Chef and Peace maker? We have been married Thirty one years Experienced love Told white lies Had children Paid bills Had good times And bad times Felt fear and tenderness Been busy Lived through boredom And Forgave and forgot. I see her Sitting downstairs Like a Princess Descended from ancient royalty Book in her lap Deep in thought Hearing the floorboards creak Above her She knows it's me Shuffling around Keeping her place On the paragraph just finished She sits still Waiting for me to fall asleep Then tiptoeing upstairs She will turn off the lights.