Draw String Poem by Lonnie Hicks

The curtains in my living room
lift and fall
gracefully
as I pull their strings each day;
marking the rise and fall of each
season
and each day in between-
punctuation
for the life between you and me.

Like my skirts
they lifted first
and fell
on our wedding bed
on our wedding night-
and now gracefully on special nights;

They rose to the realities
of married life-
fell during our dark times-
and ring during the good times
with loving making
and bedroom laughter.

I cannot
each time I draw
the strings
but marvel
at morning light;
folding away yet
another night
with you.
.
My curtains offer me regularity
which is comforting to me.

I dust them-
not often enough
worn with the years;

uplift them
for the view of the garden
and you coming home
over the back fence.


I draw them each time
anticipating
magically
in doing
so
you, too,
are drawn
home
to my bosom
each day.

Watch
as I draw
this string.

You'll see:
He'll be there

coming over
the back fence;
home to me.