She sat at their favorite picnic table
The lake shimmering below
The sun edging close to the horizon
A beautiful evening in late May
Table cloth spread, two glasses
Her best china dessert plates
A bottle of wine uncorked and breathing
Waiting for just the right moment to pour
It was Firefly date night in the park
And their anniversary
How many years had they done this?
She saw him at the waters edge skipping stones
He always did this, such a little boy
He turned and waved, a big smile on his face
The face she loved
More than any other in the whole world
They would sit together in companionable silence
Eating pastries and sipping wine
It was getting darker
The evening chorus of insects was just beginning
Now it was time to hold hands and walk
Along the tall grass path
That cut through the surrounding trees
There they would find thousands of fireflies
Flashing like Christmas tree lights
Their very own Midsummer Nights Dream
Progress would be slow as they drank in this beauty
Every last drop, and so it went
Until at last she gathered up the remnants
Of their picnic, placing them in the basket
The drive home was quiet
She pondered the magic of the night
And how it brought such peace
They would always make love on this night
So the basket would wait until tomorrow
As she climbed the stairs
Sweet memories circled in her head
Standing next to the bed they shared
She pulled back the covers
And turned out the light
He would be there
As he was every night
When she closed her eyes
“Sleep well my love, wherever you are”