Kisses In The Mist Poem by Chris Schleier, Jr.

The story that follows is more than a tale;
It's evidence truly that love can not fail.
As man seeks a mate; a lover divine
he finds that their spirits forever entwine!

It's deep in the autumn in Everglade Park
when Thomas and Sarah embrace in the dark.
Said Thomas to Sarah, 'O, love of my life....'
-in knee-bended reverence-....'will you be my wife? '

Two weeks and a day after then they were wed.
When knelt on the altar together, they said:
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity! '

They went to the park in autumn for years,
and there they embraced with passionate tears.
'I love you, my beauty' To her he would say
close to her ear, in a sensual way.

Ten years and a day after they became one
Sarah would die, and leave Thomas alone....
broken and shattered inside by her death,
Thomas was cold as his wintery breath.

Alone in their house for weeks at a time
Thomas was quiet; no rhythm to rhyme.
Never expecting that death could divide
the joy in his heart, nor the solace inside.

Yet, in his despair, not a tear did he shed
for the love of his life: fallen and dead.
But, months would go by, and pressure embark
that Thomas must visit sweet Everglade Park.

He valiantly walks in the crisp autumn air
on the eve of a night that fate would prepare.
Almost at dusk he enters the park
where once he and Sarah had kissed in the dark.

He stands for a moment, and then starts to cry
and lets it all out; his tears can not lie:
held close to his heart, now outward they flow.
Yet, in this collapse, a presence would grow!

At first 'round his ankles, then up to his knees,
a crystal white mist comes in with the breeze.
Now the mist has him completely surrounded,
and what he beholds would leave him astounded....

What enters the park, through the entrance's gate:
A bright silhouette, with purity great.
As closer to Thomas the personage nears
he stares with amazement, and stops with his tears.

In front of him now, as he's never seen,
is the spirit of Sarah, most perfect and clean.
She smiles at him, and he smiles, too.
They stand and just stare for a second or two....

And then they get closer and kiss in the mist,
and she comforts Thomas with what he has missed....
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity.'

Each other they hold, for a minute or so
and then, in his arms she whispers, 'I go....
But, when you are cold, and in need of love
come here and cry in this Everglade grove.'

The mist and the spirit dissolve in the air....
Softly said Thomas to the cool autumn air...
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity.'