Two Sides Of Love

I watched as he made his way down to the water's edge.

The March wind blew at his snow white hair, ruffling it, making it look like he'd just run his hands through it.

Today he wore a light flannel shirt tucked into a pair of jeans.

Besides his hair, you'd never guess that he'd seen five more winters than myself.

Tall and lean, I watched in longing as he leaned down to pick up a sea shell, ever so gently rubbing the sand from it.

Oh how I wished he would show the same affection towards me.

The strength of those fisherman hands touching my face in a tender caress.

Oh how I've dreamed!

With a sigh I watch once more.

A smile crosses his face as he walks against the wind, the movement increasing the wrinkles on his face.

He was a man who had lived, with each line marking the passage of time and the character that living a full life brings.

Every day, rain or shine, he makes his way along the beach.

And every day I sit alone, dreaming and watching from my rocking chair, the man that I've always loved.

Maybe today he would come, I thought with a hopeful sigh.





The salty smell of the wind made his nose tingle as he walked along the beach.

Having been a fisherman most of his life, he knew today would have been a good day to bring in the fish.

But that time was long gone now, having hung up his fisherman's hat to enjoy what was left of his life.

It was such a nice day today, the sun was warm on his face and he had not a care in the world.

As he walked he came upon a seashell sticking up out of the sand.

Leaning down he picked it up, gently rubbing the sand from it.

Instantly he thought of her.

The shell was the softest of pinks, reminding him of her cheeks when he gave her a compliment.

For as long as he could remember she had been his neighbor.

There were many nights when he would stand on his porch, just out of sight, and watch her adoringly as she rocked back and forth on her front porch swing.

Oh what it would be like to sit and hold her hand and watch the stars come out!

He had loved her for so long he couldn't remember when the feeling had first hit him.

It seemed like a lifetime ago.

As he walked, he knew from somewhere in the house she watched him.

It was always on his mind to go knock on her door and urge her to walk with him.

But the bumbling old man he was didn't know just how to go about wooing a woman anymore.

He thought of her steel gray hair, worn long and free at her shoulders.

Always he had the urge to run his fingers through it.

The days had grown into years, seemingly in a blur, and still she had never made a move.

He was getting old, even he knew time was growing short.

Today was the day, he told himself.

With a determined glint in his eye, he slowly made his way to her front door.

Before he could knock, there she stood, door standing wide open and questioning hazel eyes gazing back at him.

Without a word he handed her the sea shell.

He watched as a blush stole across her cheeks.

"I've always loved you," he whispered hoarsely before he gathered her into his arms and gave her a kiss that sent them both into a bliss only soul mates would know.

With the sun shining warmly and a soft breeze blowing in off the ocean, two souls united for the first time, their love taking them to heights even the stars couldn't follow.