Here and gone

Like Christmas and the Fourth of July

All wrapped up in a bubble of joy

Rolling across a placid pond

Driven by the gentle winds of God's Spirit

Friends looked on- unaware

But knowing- deep inside

That something beautifully rare and wonderful

Was happening

Something we could not hide

Rainbows blessed our steps

With their unmistakable signatures

Storm clouds missed us by seconds

While tunes on the radio spoke to each embrace

Unto the synchronous symphony

That was our calling and gift

And God's way of saying to our love for each other

'Perfect'

And then it was over

A rose plucked before full bloom

Because there just wasn't any room

For the truth

Or the against-the-grain brilliance

Of God's wisdom

And one of us in hindsight thought

With deep, wrenching regret:

'I guess I blew it

My years must have gotten in the way

Too few, some said

As I lay on the phone in bed

With my head swimming in a sea with no shores

Trying to recall it all

While somewhere in my tortured heart

A voice without words kept goading

My politically correct side

'Stupid!

Those were the happiest days of your LIFE.'

John Christopher

1987