The curtains in my living room br lift and fall br gracefully br as I pull their strings each day; br marking the rise and fall of each br season br and each day in between- br punctuation br for the life between you and me. br br Like my skirts br they lifted first br and fell br on our wedding bed br on our wedding night- br and now gracefully on special nights; br br They rose to the realities br of married life- br fell during our dark times- br and ring during the good times br with loving making br and bedroom laughter. br br I cannot br each time I draw br the strings br but marvel br at morning light; br folding away yet br another night br with you. br . br My curtains offer me regularity br which is comforting to me. br br I dust them- br not often enough br worn with the years; br br uplift them br for the view of the garden br and you coming home br over the back fence. br br br I draw them each time br anticipating br magically br in doing br so br you, too, br are drawn br home br to my bosom br each day. br br Watch br as I draw br this string. br br You'll see: br He'll be there br br coming over br the back fence; br home to me.