Both of Us (Wigler Year One)

 

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred first dates,

 

How would you measure the first calendar year?

 

In kisses, in convos, in collabs, in random road trips

 

More substantial that a hundred miles? In expressing fears?

 

How many times we’ve been able to hear sirens off

 

In the distance wearing seasonal styles, saying “cheers“.

 

I’ll go climbing with you’s how it started as we worked hard at

 

ivy mount, imparted time to each other, and kept climbing outside

 

Because the gym felt too crowded and we wanted to be as loud as a

 

Crowd that was out proud at night to delight in an astounding

 

Evening leaving nothing to chance or absence.

 

And, I’ve been glad since I met you, that I met you,

 

And I bet you knew that I won’t forget you saying,

 

While laying on the floor playing in playing way,

 

That we may or may not be flirting in a different manner,

 

With the banner of Heaven above us and a love as sweet

 

As the wine spilled below us. All I know is the broken

 

Frazzled edges of this puzzle fit.

 

I still remember our first walk to work together,

 

After getting coffee and somehow losing your hat,

 

We were delicately stepping into fall weather,

 

Together we were jumping without much of a net.

 

Painting pictures with words and autumn leaves

 

We spoke to each other under covers after others

 

Had gone to sleep or at least able to keep quiet

 

Flying at night like a pilot with only the horizon in sight

 

Seeing a riot below unable to quite hear it or see the details,

 

Or smell the smells because it can’t touch the peace we’ve

 

Felt in each others arms.

 

Whether that homeward spark has flared up in Rockville

 

Or Takoma Park, we’ve managed to bed down more than

 

Once below or above this country, in the middle as we

 

Fiddled a little bit of time with Chris in the bath tub in the

 

City of Brotherly love, after our Thanksgiving dinner, a bit of

 

Laughter that rocked us inward, trying hard to each maintain

 

The open mind of a beginner.

 

You introduced me to the Avett Brothers,

 

And strongly encouraged me to Phish.

 

I introduced you to my younger bigger brother, and my mother,

 

Father, and tried to fulfill your New Year’s Wish.

 

Our on again-off again relationship with vegetables and meats,

 

Out late night attraction to a foursome with Ben and Jerry’s sweets.

 

The only thing better than the fun we’d have on Saturday night,

 

Is the following morning at the farmer’s market eating our bodies right.

 

Learning how to drive a stick on the way to Niagara Falls.

 

Racing around in the car like a pinball in the machine that is DC.

 

Music is broadcast through the windows and down the halls,

 

And for an instant in that middle of the gloaming as we’re roaming

 

We can be free.

 

Homing in on St. Mary’s after Dogfish Head in Stokar’s car,

 

Six of us went to the point to anoint the past and polish present,

 

Walking out on the sand bar, to make human pyramids under stars,

 

The water, which was familiar to you, looked iridescent.

 

Naked romping, almost grape stomping, it seems the

 

Singing and bringing of gifts never ends.

 

We make it an adventure void of censure,

 

Welcomed into the circle of friends.

 

What other two go to Montreal on a relative whim,

 

Both of us spent our earliest years near the pacific rim.

 

Free parking unhindered, a romance kindled, two couples

 

Spent time with wine and a fry plate leaving our appetite

 

Swindled.

 

Stone Harbor, New Jersey for the site of the wedding

 

That had as many bridal showers as we did first dates.

 

Twenty two solid in an epic weekend setting

 

The tone for a shared life to anticipate.

 

Out in San Fran with Sara and Ned and the new little man

 

Shay cooing in his own unique way. That “Oh no, here we

 

Go” smile you had on your face hoping for a little one of your

 

Own someday.

 

We’re headed to the farm in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

 

Listening to Cali Love, gallantly galloping anticipating waiting,

 

On our conversations going end over end suspended ended up,

 

On our feet with our heads up, as long as I end up with you.

 

Belize and Guatemala, going to Tikal to listen to howler monkeys,

 

And the whispers of the Mayans. Both with screeching eerily similar to

 

Ryan’s. Amidst Carcassonne drama, my Caribbean Mama,

 

Had time to dream of alpacas and llamas, and my best birthday

 

Was more than just fine.

 

Now with you starting back to school, and me working with Jake,

 

We try to carve out quality time with each other from the moment we wake.

 

The grass is always greenest where it is cared for in the moments we make.

 

Our first year dinner at Ray’s classics, the free dessert,

 

And the candle for my Candle next year.

 

Whether I’m the lesser and you’re the better,

 

Or I express with the gesture of this letter,

 

And we clear the air that’s hot or wet or,

 

I say I and love and you, handle this ramblin’ man’s

 

Plan, rub my fuzzy chest, and end this text here.