Coming close hand in hand
I entreat all who are near
                Does Sadb approach smiling:
Be warmed by her smile
Within it is a love and joy
                That can sooth the sea on a stormy day.

As the days go, you will find many things
Given forth by the fierce and courageous Sadb
                Not just cheese, no
But also, wisdom, great interest in her people
Crafts of all kinds, whether food, cloth or knowledge
                All, a bounty from which others can learn.

Here, though, she brings a hint of mischief,
Encouraged and emboldened by friendship
                Witness it, and watch:
See the mirth bloom and join
That of others around her
                Casting fun in her wake.

And beside her, standing proud
Hand folding over her own
                A stalwart champion:
Her heart and love shine through him
As his eyes look upon her and smile
                Criomhthann, embracing her with love.

So, thus before you stands Sadb,
Baroness, sister, and dear friend,
                Presented with humble love
To stand ready and serve the Kingdom
Joyfully, willingly, and companionably
                with her love by her side.

Style: 11th Century Ancient Irish Poetry

Nine years.

Nine years ago, you came into our lives,
Only a tiny squawk (it was cold),
And there you were, tongue sticking out, and
Already a hand on my face.

Nine years of wonder, amusement, and even
Yes, some frustration on both our parts.
Crawling, walking, running (mostly running)
To talking and immediately you began negotiating…
Oh, how much alike we are– How wonderful is that?

Nine years of teaching each other about the world,
Exploring it from new perspectives.
With each inch of that change, you grew until
Today, you amaze me.

Still, I can not seem to understand how time has
Come and gone, both fast and slow.
I revel in it, though.
I embrace the changes and watch you grow each day.
You have come so far, and onward you strive ahead.

Go forth into your next year, my sweet boy.
.With all the wonder and curiosity of the last nine.
Challenge yourself and the world at large to
Be the best you can be, learn everything you are able
And to love, as you always have, with your entire being.

Nine of the best years, my little love, and counting…

Galen. S. Skye
14 December 2022
for MJS

Being madly, wonderfully in love with someone
does not mean that you do not disagree
do not argue, or fight
do not get frustrated and exhausted.
Being incredibly in love with someone
can mean that you fight well, and
make up even better.
That you argue in a way that shows you
both sides and perspectives,
and then both learn from it.

Being completely in love with someone
can mean you trust each other enough to
push and pester, argue and rebut.
It can be a hot spike of irritation, followed
by tears and love and hugs and consideration.

Being madly, wonderfully in love with someone
does not negate all of those emotions, but rather
supports you when you have them, and brings
great conversations sometimes that allow you to
understand someone even better than you did before.

Love, the unconditional, amazing love you can have
with the human you adore the most,
can be amazing even when you are both
grumpy, tired, and snippy.
You are not less of a couple in love because you
are passionate and fight to better your relationship
with your soul mate. 

Being madly, wonderfully in love with someone,
means you are always on the same team on
amazing, fabulous days
and on hard, stressful days.

Being madly, wonderfully in love with them
brings joy, even when you aren’t expecting it,
can fill the room with laughter just moments after
you are embroiled in a heated discussion, and
does not have to look like anyone else’s relationship
and definitely does not have to be rainbows and sunshine
all the time.

Because some loves are deep and fulfilling,
while simultaneously being quiet and contained
and passionate and full of fire.
All these things can live within a love story
and still, mean that you are head over heals
and as madly, wonderfully, completely in love
as anyone else.

And I feel so incredibly blessed to have this with my love.

G. S. Skye, 13 September 2022

Two figures
Nestled together…
One sitting in front of the other.

His knees pulled up.
His arms wrapped around them both.

Behind him, his lover
Leans forward and lanky arms loop
around to hold the elegant human close.

Two figures
Entwined together,
One soul walking in front of the other.

Summer 1997
(24 years old)