Dinner for Two
-By Dingus Donogal

​

The table set e'er twilight soft
   O'ertakes sky's brighter hue.
A blended panoply of scents
   Speaks feast cooked with love true.

Outside the music of the night
   Reveals a peace to all.
The cricket's chirp, the shush of breeze,
   A whipporwill's mourned call.

​

From candles' flame warm shadows cast 
   A dance that does not stop.
In hearth the embers' magic mask
   Claps rhythm with its pop.

Discreetly seated 'cross from him
   Her face in love near glows.
Reflects a light that's held within
   Her adoration flows.

​

The linen napkin in her lap
   White as new fallen snows,
Holds in the warmth he longs for now
   Anticipation grows.

Overwhelmed with bated breath,
   As if in lad's first crush;
He cannot halt his wondered awe
   Hearts beat in pulsin' rush.

​

Her deeping gaze drops to the stem
   Of crystal glass of wine.
Her fingers play on fragile shaft
   Refracting candles' shine.

Then struck with envy for the glass
   She lifts in fingertips,
He watches now cup ruby filled,
   That knows touch of her lips.

​

The meal her dainty hands prepared
   Still hot on plate it steams.
The vapor wisps caress her face,
   As if in timeless dreams.

She chides him pouting meal uneaten
   Feigns a pained, hurt look.
His shocked defense he stammers lame,
   His reverie now shook.

​

Chin she lowers new expression
   In her upturned eyes;
Corners of her lips uplift,
   And stills feigned hurt's surprise.

Flames of candle now reflecting
   In her eyes new light,
Never ending pools a glist'ning,
   Bright stars in the night.

​

Chin directs his eyes on downward
   Swelling of her breast,
'Neath the bodice of her lovely
   Evening dinner dress.

Single rose of centerpiece,
   Long-stemmed in its vase;
Bows in odd humility,
   In presence of her face.

​

Linger patiently do they,
   Anticipation savor.
And tender eat the meal prepared,
   Enjoying each love's flavor.

Meal progresses through the evening,
   Stomach's hunger sated.
Other hunger grows consuming,
   Held back, long awaited.

​

Sweet the wait but sweeter still

   Eyes meeting o'er the table.

They rise as dancers in the glow

   Consent to love enabled.

Drawing now t'ward other room,
   Candles' flames now ceased.

Embers in the heart still hot,
   Passion's heat unleashed.