This became incorporated into a large piece, though a very small part of it.
Eric performed his usual ritual as he prepared for the new term to start. Cozy in his chair beside the fire, he began reading the poems that he would cover in his class. Familiar friends that he had visited every year, Keats, Byron, Burns, and Shelly were just a few of the names on that list. As he turned to the Byron section one poem in particular caught his eye. He began to read:
“She walk in Beauty like the night”
He paused as strong memories began to flood back. This was her favorite.
“She walks in beauty like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies”
As he read the gazebo emerged in his mind.
“And all that is best dark and bright”
Her face.
“Meet in her aspect and her eyes”
The gazebo. It was one of his favorite places from home. He remembered the first day he took her there. Could it really have been ten years ago. A crisp spring day. They had toured his town from all sides but this he saved for last. He had even memorized the poem for this occasion.
“Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies”
He sat her down on the bench in the nook of the gazebo and climbed up onto the rail beside it. He knew this was one of her favorite poems. He knew how she always reacted to this poem, he only hoped she would this time also.
“One shade the more, one ray the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace”
As he began the poem she sighed deeply and leaned back against his knee. As the cadence of the poem sank in she slowly closed her eye to go to that dream world verse always sent her to.
“Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lighten over her face”
Hiding the ring from her had been the hardest part. She could read him like a book. Greg and Jeri had agreed to hold it for him. He tried not to think about this night else she figure out what he was doing.
“Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how sweet their resting place”
He had carefully picked out the ring. Instead of solid gold the band was shaped like streamers of ivy that wrapped around a beautiful princess cut diamond.
“And on that cheek, and o’er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet so eloquent”
Eric slipped his hand into his coat pocket to bring the box out. It had not been a particularly chilly night but he needed a place to hide the ring. Carefully he opened the box without trying to disturb her reveling.
“The smiles that wins, and the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent”
Gently he lowered the box down so that she would she the ring when she opened her eyes.
“A mind at peace with all below
A heart whose love is innocent.”
Slowly Linda’s eyes opened and she gasped in surprise. “Yes” Eric thought. “Marry me” he asked softly. Linda broke down in tears as joy flooded her mind. “Yes” she breathed. She stood up facing him, melting into his eyes. “Yes” she whispered leaning over to kiss him. Thoughts of happiness and satisfaction filled Eric’s mind as he returned the kiss with equal force.
He closed the book, the memories too much for him to continue. He stacked the books on the table and just sat staring into the fire. “Okay,” he thought, “this is not going to help me.” He stood up and made his way up the stairs.
“God,” he said, “hold me.” and he collapsed beside the bed in tears.