Kate has left the wedding. Caroline stares at the dance floor contemplating the consequences of her loss.

FOREVER

She's gone.

Left over an hour ago.

Why not?

I'm here alone

With my burgeoning thoughts,

My pain,

My futile desires.

ooOoo

My heart craves her.

My mind needs her.

My soul yearns for her,

Wants to be with her

Wrapped in her kindness,

Fed by her love.

ooOoo

I want to show her

That I can give

As well as take.

But I can't.

I've blown it.

Forced her away

To ease my own discomfort and doubts

From the judging eyes

And the treasonous tongues.

ooOoo

Desperately my senses try to recall

The consoling touch of her hand

On my cheek,

The warmth of her lips

On my undeserving mouth,

The heat of her passion

On my shuddering, naked body.

ooOoo

But no sooner do I remember

Than the agony of those memories,

For that is all they are…

That's all I have left…

Drive me to forget

Lest I die a bit more inside.

ooOoo

Something draws me

From my thoughts,

An aura, a presence.

She stands before me,

Her hand outstretched

Towards me.

ooOoo

An ephemeral vision perhaps,

Conjured by my desperate desires

To lure me from my darkness

And then cruelly disappear?

But then I hear her words reach out to me,

The question asked,

The challenge laid out.

"Do I want to dance?"

ooOoo

Of course I want to dance.

I want to sing,

I want to cry with joy

But my heart,

Soaked with grief

And pain

Slows me,

Cautions me.

I need to know

Is this for ever?

ooOoo

She answers with a quip

And the faint essence of a smile on her lips.

She leads.

I follow.

ooOoo

Weary of all the hurt,

Tired of all the worry,

I will dance with her

Under the scrutiny

Of all who are present,

Caring nothing for their embarrassed glances

And their chiding words.

ooOoo

Her ethereal presence

Envelops me.

As she draws me in

Her nearness dissipates my sadness,

My melancholy,

My misery.

ooOoo

Her tender touch

A balm to my bruised and battered being.

Her loving kiss

A salve that heals my soul

And inflames my longing,

Pouring life back into my aching heart.

ooOoo

Dust to dust

My fear.

Ashes to ashes

My cowardice.

This love too precious to lose.