Love Poem: Strawberry Sweet
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Written by: Neo Masetlane

Strawberry Sweet

STRAWBERRY SWEET 
Strawberry scent 
At the picnic place
Late in the afternoon
Birds singing up in the trees
With the joy of spring season`

The basket half empty all the pies gone
Red wine from one glass, but we had two
Leaning on the tree buck 
She lay on my lap
Pen and booklet on my palms
A bowel of strawberries she had with her

For every line I jot
Every dream we make
And image of the future we draw
Is rewarded by half fruit dipped in plain yogurt…

The previous night the ground experienced shallow falls. Young grass all covered in dew in the morning of the first Saturday of the season. Pleasant weather it was, for the nature was at joy. It was the day he was waiting for, his day off from the rest of the world but a day to build his world within. Waking up and sent a morning text that says “good morning love, see you later”. By that time she was still enjoying the comfort of the last hour morning nap. She just picked the phone with a smile, as if she knew it saw him. She rubbed her eyes, stretched her arms facing the small ceiling of her apartment, uptown, well-decorated to her likes with white and bright colors that match her smile. 

He left his crib and went straight to the city center. With so much life in him, he was walking like he got springs on his legs. Everyone could see that the world was his, as he greeted every man, woman, child, baby and even the pets in the streets. Happy he was, “good morning” he uttered as he lifted his hat a bit. He slid into the bank, folded his long sleeved untacked shirt as he head to the counter. Once more, he greeted, the fair looking lady behind the desk. He was responded by a welcome smile and went straight to business. He was withdrawing money from his savings account. One could notice that he was in the intention of rewarding himself, little they knew.

On the other side of the side, she was expecting a visit, but that morning the feeling was different. She had the baby joy from within she couldn’t explain what it was for. She got off bed with a melody. She had those expectations of an outing and she went straight to freshening everything around the place. With the windows wide open, to let the after rain scent in, she let out her beautiful voice to the world. Hanging on his walls were framed photos of her as the sing leader from high. She was and still has the talent of course. Soon as she was done positioning things around, she went for the shower and had her time in there. 

He took his time, making sure everything was done well and well done. He wanted to make a call to tell her they are going out but his gut didn’t allow him. He flipped his leg across and calms balanced on the bicycle seat. That was just a few minutes after he purchased it. It wasn’t like any other bike any young man of mid-twenties would go for. It was the bike of the nineties, the tall simple and slim white wall wheels of our grandfathers. It has a carrier over the rear wheel, wide enough to carry his grocery; he placed his basket, well tightened to not spoil anything. On the front wheel was another flat metal frame like carrier, it has its own purpose too. He began paddling uptown right away.

As she was straightening her hair, looking at herself on the mirror there was a knock, she hurried with a smile. She paused and took a deep breath. On the other side of the door, he waited, with one arm folded and other holding his chin. He tilted his head and his eyes aiming right at the door knob, he couldn’t wait to meet his gaze with hers. Suddenly the door opened, like an angel she did it again, the lady with blue eyes, this time she was bright. She was in her favorite, the rainbow stripped with flat shoes on. He took a step towards her, she did it too, he offered his hand, and instead she let her waist to be wrapped around by him. ‘Princess…’ he said, ‘my Prince’ she responded. Closer he was leaning on and she was running out of breath, at that moment their hearts were beating at the same pace, at once. Her left arm rested on his shoulder, the right side let loose down and palms and fingers interlocked. With the gaze on her sparkling blue eyes, he swiftly went for the ear, he whispered, “let’s go to the park, I see you are already dressed for the occasion already”.