At night
I watch the rise and fall
of your chest
I am back down by the river
a cider in each hand and laughter in the air
row boats and ducks floating by like messages in bottles
the strawberry sweetness stains my tongue
the time was now and the love was us
you leave hastily for work
the smell of your aftershave ignites the room
whisking me back to the first time
you asked me to dance
in the middle of the road,
with the flicker of the street light
as our beat
on our bench in the park there sits
an elderly couple holding hands, side by side
the sun shines gently on them, the birds sing them a song
you got down on your bad knee
asking us to be together
forever and always
a disregarded take-away box is on an empty tube seat
the strong smell of incense and spice
with music and colour
inflame my noise
arm in arm I cling to you
winter’s night air follows you in
wraps our bodies together tight
we embrace and breathe each other in
all of these times my love
we have much more to share
I will be happy to say
when I am old and grey
that I lived those times past
By Emma Jane Mackay
Bunny’s Pause 