First published in the collection "Love, Death and the War on Terror", this poem is firmly from the "Love" section of the book. It is a poem about passion, about the moment of a marriage proposal described in heightened detail, and conveying the overwhelming sense of excitement and joy. The scene is exotic, a holiday, the decision maybe considered rash, too quick, but also, you have to leap sometimes without looking, yo have to reap the whirlwind of romance.

1. REAP THE WHIRLWIND
a poem by Trevor Maynard
First published in
“Love, Death and the War on Terror”
Paperback ISBN-10 1445206625
KINDLE ASIN: B0040ZNRLK

2. We were genuinely excited
the apartment was chosen
the tickets booked, the plane on time
on the tarmac, waiting

3. Our passports were both renewed
new photos, hair grey flecked now
the portraits of a decade back when
we knew of each other but did not know each other
when we were both married elsewhere and sad
those images were gone
replaced by older, wiser
more contented shots

4. On the flight, her hand gripped
my wrist and cut off the circulation
she cried through valium
and quite possibly an illegal horse tranquilliser
so terrified was she
her fear dwarfed mine to insignificance
and when she passed out
I watched her sleeping
framed by a window of clouds
made of pillow down and cotton wool
the last day, I told myself
the last day, I would ask

5. Our apartment was bare and minimal
a balcony looked out over the pool
to the rocks and the sea
the Retsina was cool and earthy
and the cocktails strong and free
we made love again and again and again
like newlyweds
no, not yet

6. I was so genuinely excited
completely beyond all control
out of my wits
my rational, perfect plan
to experience two weeks together
living together
a logical tester
for an entire shared life went...

7. ...went completely out of the window
the night was balmy and star shine
more than made up for the absent moon
white horses rode the waves
and though it was night-time
the water was hot
she was drenched by sun
every goose bump an explosion of ecstasy

8. I could not wait, why wait?
I wanted her
I needed her
we would become one

9. She said yes
and we kissed and hugged and laughed
then we both sat dumbfounded
what had we done
how did this happen
on the first night of our first holiday I had proposed
now we had another thirteen days
to contemplate
what if she had said no?

10. Seven years now married
and we return to the same apartment
overlooking the pool to the rocks
and the sea, still madly, gloriously in love
laying beneath the star shine
cool breeze soothing after passionate love
knowing and accepting that sometimes
you just have to go with the moment
abandon all reason
and reap the whirlwind of romance
September 2007