Sources: Rumi's Birdsong, trans. Colman Barks;wikisource.
Rumi, trans. Coleman Barks:
You thought union was a way
you could decide to go.
But the world of the soul follows
things rejected and almost forgotten.
Your true guide drinks
from an undammed stream.
The exclusive Italian restaurant was rather crowded at this time of night. Calleigh fit right in. Her golden hair was pinned up in a flourishing twist, her bright blue evening gown and flawless make-up drew plenty of second glances from the restaurant's other patrons.
She gazed at her dinner companion as she finished her last few bites of pasta. Perhaps it was the soft light from the candles on the table, or perhaps it was the atmosphere of the place, or the glass of chardonnay she'd imbibed, or because it was true, but she thought at the moment that he was the most gorgeous man she'd ever rested her eyes on.
He smiled at her, that smile that always made her melt, but it looked a little nervous. He'd been unusually quiet tonight. "Ready for dessert?"
"If I eat another bite, I'm not going to be able to fit in this dress. Though I'm sure you wouldn't mind."
He laughed, but didn't say anything.
"I keep thinking, this place, the flowers...what's the occasion? Did I forget an anniversary or something?" she joked.
"Of course not. You just deserve it."
She looked down, smiling. "I feel like the luckiest girl in the world when I'm with you."
"Yeah, well...I hope I can always make you feel like that." He glanced away quickly. "Oh, look: dessert."
A waitress arrived at the table, bearing a covered silver tray. She put it in front of Calleigh and removed the lid.
Calleigh's eyes widened. In the center of the tray was a small silver dish of chocolate gelato garnished with whipped cream, sliced strawberries, and chocolate sauce, and sticking out of it was a gold ring, its three diamonds coruscating in the candlelight. Her breath caught, and she felt like every eye in the room was on her.
"Calleigh Duquesne, will you make me the luckiest man in the world? Will you marry me?"
It took her a few seconds to remember how to breathe. She was so shocked, and so thrilled. A thousand thoughts raced through her head, and she barely heard any of them. "Yes," she gasped. She put on the ring, which was cold but fit perfectly. People at nearby tables burst out cheering.
It was perfect. So perfect. She chased away the nagging doubts at the back of her mind and threw her arms around her new fiance. "Of course...Oh, Jake, of course I'll marry you!"
Edgar Allen Poe, from "Bridal Ballad":
And thus the words were spoken,
And this the plighted vow,
And, though my faith be broken,
And, though my heart be broken,
Here is a ring, as token
That I am happy now!
