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Just a Spark This was written in response to a topic given by the jumpinstones Yahoo! group. The topic was "Rekindling a Relationship." I don't do much poetry and perhaps you can see why. :) -- Nicole, July 7, 2002 "If you had to, what would you choose: Your dogs or your husband?" a coworker asked; Without hesitation, she replied, "Definitely the dogs." She had thought about that question for six years, Almost immediately after they married one wintry December; The relationship was built on the shaky foundation of circumstance and wishful thinking; Sparks that came and went with the passage of each day; Or at least that's what she told herself. Each time she wanted to leave, she felt compelled to stay. She never really knew why - Maybe it was hormones, mood swings, The alcohol that often drowned her sorrows, or The hope their love would rekindle. Like every time before, they went to a bar after work, Where she poured out her doubts over a pint of the house brew. Usually he fought back, but this time he was quiet -- He heard it all before -- and asked if she wanted to go someplace else. They left, driving around town, Both wondering what just happened, Without much of a fuss, they parked outside a karaoke bar. You have to sing, her husband jested; you've done this before, That was with a bunch of coworkers, she said, not a bunch of strangers; After poking and prodding, they both found a song to sing, She went with a country tune, He found solace in The Eagle's "Take it Easy." As the words rolled onto the karaoke monitor, She remembered why they fell in love - His sense of humor, his loyalty, The belief that, together, they could accomplish anything. The spark as comforting as the breeze off the ocean, As intense as her legs nervously shaking As she sang in front of the bar. But it was enough for her, Enough for their marriage. What was said disappeared into the wind of memory, Like all the other times before it; All it took as a tiny spark to kindle their love. © Nicole S. Bowman, July 7, 2002. All rights reserved. © 1998-2002 Nicole S. B. Layton. All rights reserved. For personal use only.