Winter Wedding

Winter Wedding

He proposed on one knee, beside his walker

and struggled to stand back up on his own,

staff nearby but under his strict orders not to intervene.

He stood taller than usual, chest out somewhat,

and his broad smile made it clear to all

she had said “Yes!”

She was impressed and a bit flabbergasted,

but accepted his proposal with a shy smile

blushing as much as a woman one-fourth her age.

She had expected this, wanted this to happen

for some time. They had been seeing each other

for more than a year. Shared many a moment

content with each other’s presence.

Two single people with spouses long gone,

families intermittently attentive.

They felt a need to connect with each other.

To be part of a couple again, to have someone

love them unconditionally despite circumstances.

The wedding was in the big activity room

with a few family members, staff, and many

of the residents in attendance.

They both looked charming but proud too

of their found and acknowledged love

and of their decision to wed, despite their age.

They didn’t need a honeymoon, just more quiet

time together. They can be found, in the mornings,

watching the sun come up over the garden.

At night, contemplating the sunset across

the vast lawn beyond their window. They hold hands,

treasuring another day of their togetherness.

And that is enough.

                                  --W.E. Hudson

First published in the Rockford Review