Sonnet 56 – New Year’s Eve With You

Everything’s so clear after a country
rain, the sky newly scrubbed of soot and smog,
the wind smelling fresh and green and healthy.
New Year’s Eve is for champagne, not egg nog,

and tonight those bright bubbles will water
your eyes and tickle your nose as I hold
you to me.  I’ll be washed by the laughter
of the same dear lady that I once told

I’d stand beside forever, if she’d have
me.  Only hours now till the clock chimes
a fresh start.  A week ago, we made love
savagely, fiercely, after Santa climbed

the chimney.  This night, while children sleep, we
will love each other slowly, eye-to-eye.

(Companion to Sonnet 34)