Bonnie and Richard Kirkwood. (Submitted photo)

i bring you this apple
it is love
its face shines
i see all beauty
dancing in its face.
it is a world
you and i flicker
a fire
in the lighttime of love.
hold it a moment
watch the people, the moments
spin.
then, make it part of you.
i bring you this apple,
love.

To My Wife

(1)
your young voice
was a bird
your hair a waterfall
of stars
i wanted
to give you
a galaxy
of snow
white roses

(2)
your hair
is snow
you sing
bright cardinal
i want
to give you
a star
one utter
rose
over
Bethlehem

Richard Kirkwood (1931-2013) taught at UW-Eau Claire for 35 years. Bonnie Kirkwood  (1932-2024)  taught at UW-Stout for 32y ears. This poem first appeared Local Lit in February 2014.