Upon a Kingdom of Love

Stained, aged photographs, worn by gentle…agile fingers…1

“Mommy, mommy, I like this one!” He says; he points to a picture of our wedding day.2

“Mommy, you look…” She scrunches up her face, her hazel eyes looking at me in slits.3

“Me—Mesme—“ 4

“Mesmerizing?” I offer, and she smiles, her beautiful smile; Alyssa and Michael. 5

“Why do you keep all of these pictures up here?” Michael asks, and though he is just moments older than his twin sister, he is very assertive, where Alyssa is far more reserved, but don’t let that fool you, she’s very witty; like her father. 6

“Where is daddy?” Michael asks. “He said he was gonna teach me how to be a warrior today!” 7

“And he was going to teach me how to be an ocean.” Alyssa says softly; her eyes sparkle. 8

I smile warmly at them, pictures; webs of our memories lain out before us. “Alyssa, an ocean, as I’m sure your father will tell you is tenacious, wise, and beautiful; much like you.” She smiles brightly at this.9

“I’m an ocean?” She pipes up. 10

“Yes,” I reach out a gentle hand and stroke her long dark brown hair. “Yes you are.”11

“What about me?” Michael pouts. “And…I don’t think you ever told me where daddy was.” 12

I pull the young man into my lap and nuzzle into his hair, he smells of wood smoke and trees, a blend of his parents…Harmony. 13

“Your daddy is off being a warrior.” I tell him softly. “He uses a pen, always a pen. It will always be mightier than the sword, Michael, remember that.” 14

“But…what about the story daddy always tells us about the golden archer, and the Shining Knight?” 15

“The golden archer is your uncle John.” I tell him gently. “He is very wise and strong…--And funny?” Alyssa interjects. 16

“And funny.” I say with a bit of a laugh, and nod. 17

“And your father is the Shining Knight.”18

“We know!” They chorus together in unison. 19

“I know you know.” I say softly, “but what you don’t know is that…the blade your father used to win my love is not your typical blade…But the one, right here, in my very hand.” 20

I pull a pen from my pocket, sleek, and quill tipped, once the cap is removed to issue fine, black ink. “What you must understand, is that I hold one, too, just like he does. We fight together.” 21

I rise, and so do they, and I offer them my hands, and they take them, as we begin our way from the attic, the sun shining brightly upon the many pieces and threads of a life built upon a kingdom of love. 22