[F] A candle bends above an open page, The moon pours silver through the window frame. I turn a leaf; a rose falls from its sleep, A little summer time agreed to keep. Outside, the harbor gathers evening blue; Inside, a chair is drawn beside me—you. Your coat is damp, your hands are warm and real; You ask about my day, then stay to feel. [M] I bring no polished promise from a throne, I bring the bread, the flowers, the stepping-stones. A room we choose, a journey we can make, The steady hands that meet you when you wake. Let Dumas give the midnight streets their spark, The secret stair, the lantern in the dark. I take your hand beneath the turning skies; Adventure has your laughter and your eyes. [Both] Let the ink become a kiss, Let the dream have hands like this. Turn the page and take me dancing, Every ordinary hour enchanting. All for love, and love for living, Two full hearts receiving, giving. By the candle, by the sea, Write this life with me. [F] I wore my courage underneath my lace, Learned how to give my tenderness a place. No borrowed crown could tell me what I'm worth; I found my own name rooted in the earth. Now you can meet the woman standing here, Her bright ideas, her questions, her sincere Delight in stars and how the water moves— You listen, and your listening has roots. [M] I love the way your mind unlocks a room, Finds hidden doors where others call it gloom. You speak; I set my hurried world aside, And let your winding river reach the tide. Then shoes come off, your feet rest in my hands; I learn the quiet language skin understands. My thumbs move slowly where the long day stayed; You breathe, and all the little lamps turn jade. [Both] Let the ink become a kiss, Let the dream have hands like this. Turn the page and take me dancing, Every ordinary hour enchanting. All for love, and love for living, Two full hearts receiving, giving. By the candle, by the sea, Write this life with me. [F] A secret passage opens in your smile; We take the scenic road another mile. The market woman wraps our pears in gold, You find a battered book a sailor sold. Between its leaves, a map without a name— We laugh and let the afternoon become a game. One clue: a fountain. Two: a garden gate. Three: your mouth, where all my questions celebrate. [M] I booked the little room above the square, Made sure the morning sun would find you there. A balcony, two cups, a climbing vine, Your bare feet crossing slowly into mine. At dusk I lead you where the violins Unfasten all the day has buttoned in. My palm rests at your back; you choose the pace. The whole town turns; I keep your laughing face. [F] Could this be magic—how attention glows? How being cherished softens what I hold? Your fingers trace my shoulder, then my wrist; My body answers gently: yes to this. No riddle in the sweetness of your care, Your words have footsteps; I can hear them there. You bring the water, draw the curtains wide, And make a place for wonder at your side. [M] My wife, the ring is warm against your hand; We made our vows where sea-light touched the land. I choose you in the errands and the rain, Through changing plans, through joy, through growing pains. When something hurts, I'll hear the whole thing through; There is a seat beside me kept for you. Our home has room for every honest part, Your brilliant mind, your body, and your heart. [Both] We need no enemy to make us brave, The day has countless things to tend and save. A meal to share, a tired friend to call, A seedling reaching sunlight by the wall. Let courage wear an apron, love wear shoes; Let every chapter hold the life we choose. And when the wild horizon calls us out, We'll trim the sails and turn the boat about. [F] The rose lies open now beside the flame; I write the date, you softly speak my name. Your arms surround the woman I have grown; I lean into the pleasure of being known. [M] I kiss your brow, then draw you to my chest; The book lies closed, the sea sings us to rest. Tomorrow has its roads, its golden chance; Tonight, my love, our kitchen is a dance. [Both] Let the ink become a kiss, Let the dream have hands like this. All for love, and love for living, Two full hearts receiving, giving. By the candle, by the sea, We write our life— And turn the key.
