January 18, 2024

My dearest,

You are the whisper in my ears: An affirming breeze, an inspiring gale. A thunderstorm sometimes, a tempest even Prospero would quake at. You make me want to be more than I am now –

– when I invoke your name, all your names, my sweet muse.

You are Calliope, “the one with the beautiful voice.” You taught a battle-worn warrior how to sing, after all; who knew Achilles could croon like Nat King Cole? The epic poetry of your very being can make even my weak and inarticulate stammer a soaring eloquence.

You are Clio, my memory and our history. You are the proclaimer of great deeds, and there was no greater deed than our first meeting and, years later, our marriage and wedded bliss. You are a celebration, the only celebration we seek.

You are Polyhymnia, whom I place upon a pedestal. You are the best lyrics of the best songs. You are my dance and my geometry. No distance can prevent us from gazing into each other’s eyes. You are winsome and you are wise.

You are Euterpe, “the pleasant genius” and the music in my heart. In your hands, I am every instrument – flute and violin, guitar and drums. I am an orchestra and you are my conductor.

You are Terpsichore, the progenitor of the Sirens. Oh, how they would serenade and seduce hapless sailors with their hypnotic shanties! As you, too, beguile me with your lullabies about little piggies. As you, too, astonish me with your impromptu shower power ballads.

You are Erato, the loveliest. You are Romance itself. You are roses and turtle-doves. You are more magnificent to me, more exquisite and far rarer, than any gemstone or gold or throne.

You are Melpomene, “the melodious one.” You are harmony and the theatre of life. You made me realise we need not crave beauty or money or anything else, not when we have each other.

You are Thalia, so natural and kindly mocking. You are a flourishing flower. You are Joy itself, and peerless comedic timing. You make me laugh more than anyone could.

You are Urania, who wears a crown of stars. And you, you are my North Star. You are my globe and you are my compass. You are my astronomy and my astrology, my science and my faith.

You are all of them, the Nine Greek Muses, yet you remain truly and purely yourself.

You are my one and my only.

You are the one with the beautiful voice and the pleasant genius. You are the flourishing flower and the loveliest of the loveliest.

And you are mine, and I am yours.

Yours, ever and always.