Narrow hallway, creamy dress
dripping off her body through my arms
to the floor.
Threshold of eternal mystery, open
that we may enter.
This place is new.

Plunge deeper into bliss.
Tiny, abundant buttons delay.
Fingertips, numb in the chill of anticipation.
She is unveiled
before me, by me.
I am already hers.

Fire inside
like lit candles
making shadowy figures dance a first dance
on walls by our marriage bed.
Music slows.
Arms untangle.
Fire still burns.

by Derek Elkins, 2008