Within a Storm

After finishing the chapter

of a French mystery 

he looked for his wife

She was experiencing 

the charm of an early evening

sitting comfortably, petting the dog.

He asked,

“Do you love me?

I ask because in the morning

the moon will be hidden behind a stained blue sky with crying clouds.

Did you hear me?”

I wonder, will it matter?

Does it matter?

He thoughtfully began the next chapter.

Hours later,

When a light rain could be heard,

she asked him,

“Do you love me?

Because at night the stars all become one heartbeat

and you may lose sight of mine.

Will that matter?”

Will that matter?

He finished his drink.

And she put down the remote.

They both smiled the same smile.

That same fading smile 

which remains

though barely was

but remains.

In the bedroom,

the dog found a place near her pillow.

They looked into mirrors that showed the other’s reflection.

Sometimes truth starts a fantasy.

They asked, 

or was it their images 

“Do we love each other?”

Within a storm,

shadows and beauty

become one.

Without illusion, what has mattered?

Philip received his Master of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. He has published six poetry books, with another forthcoming. Three novels and two plays.He has a column in the magazine Per Niente. He enjoys all things artistic.