RED RED WINE

Red, red wine

was the song

we danced to

on the deck

of the catamaran

on the way to Nevis Island.

Red, red lips

were the ones I kissed

as we floated

over coral

and fish of every color

there in the Caribbean.

Red, red eyes

are the ones that cry

as I recall

the joy of

those days

on the Isle of St. Kitts.

John A. Bayerl, December 27, 2011

It's a cold, snowy day, and I'm remembering a week that Gwen and I spent on St. Kitts Island.  It was quite an experience for the two of us who had never left the Continental United States, much less seen the beauty below the surface on a coral reef.   We had done a lot since our wedding: travelled about the country, increased our family to four children, filled with pride when Gwen graduated with a BSN in nursing; and now we were at a resort on island in the Caribbean.  Whatever regrets we may have had about "forgetting" to have a honeymoon were soon put aside during that week.  We snorkeled, enjoyed a ride to Nevis Island on a catamaran, and, best of all from Gwen's point-of-view, took a horseback ride around St. Kitts.  Mostly, we relished doing nothing but lying around on the beach and swimming in the surf.  That, and re-affirming our love for each other.  

And, it was a red red letter day, Dear, that warm day in April when you said, "John, maybe we ought to think about getting married."