~ CD Williams

When we were young I’d sit with you in some candle lit restaurant—
     in intimate, connecting conversation—
     and I’d glance over at an old couple eating in silence.

“Not me,” I’d think
     in the arrogance of my youth.
“Not me,” I’d think
     in my hunger to know every cranny and inch of yourself.
“Not me,” I’d think
     in my need to share my every thought, test my every opinion.
“Not me.”

Silly me.

‘Cause you know, half a century later
I sit in some eatery with you—not caring if it’s romantic—
    not wanting to share opinions and already knowing anyway.
    not wanting to talk of the world,
        or the kids,
            or the house,
                or the bad times or the good.

How wonderful it is to sit in the quiet—
        no dishes to do,
            no banging furnace pipes
                no half completed chores wanting finishing.

How wonderful to sit with you swallowed
by the holy silence of just being.
Together.