the engagement

the couple

crest the ridge

sawtooth mountains

with hope when it is turning to

conviction her eyes

shine deep as the waters

of the glittering lake

Superior from far off

among the leaves.

he fingers the ring

hid in his pocket

the call of birds

and all the empty wild

freedom

young daydreams grown-up

along its outer edge

bound along the inside

what he is beginning

to understand as all

men one way or another probably will

sooner if they're lucky

or later

to love and

whoever you are

no thing more precious

than to be loved like this