We were walking at twilight

He told me it was that magical time

He looked at the sky, its fading light

Our steps were congruent like a rhyme

The horizon turned a yellow-blue-green

He pointed and said, “Look at the contrast,”

It met my retina like a movie screen

I saw the dark tree branches in front of the bright pink skyline

A white tablecloth under spilt red wine

Death and life

Or me and him

An anchor and a kite

This evening planned on a whim

The barren trees stood out as the sky burst

We passed a garden among the thorns

This millionth walk just like our first  

We gazed at the heavens as we walked

He said, “There will be a contrast like this at the end of our lives.”

I said, “Things will stand out,

All our triumphs and futile tries.

Hopefully that won’t be the only time we see clearly,”

“God gives us glimpses,” he told me

I saw it there somehow – in the nature – in this simple walk

Through an intimate talk

My sin like the red wine

My soul like the barren vine

My spirit an eternal winter

All my baggage

But the Creator’s love and faithfulness shine

I read the Scriptures and remember

How He loves me

He shouts it in the silence, He paints it in the sky

He gifted me this excellent man by my side

Marriage, a miracle

Like our planet hanging in the universe

I’ve received a blessing, not a curse

I’m full of faith instead of fearful

Though I’m dying, I’m living

Following the path

Heart bowed

Aware more than ever right now of the contrast