there is something ever so special about picnics

the excitement starts when preparing the food at home

knowing it will be consumed alfresco

wondering which spot will be chosen 

will it be by a flowing river or on a sandy beach

I carefully packed the picnic basket in the car

hunger pangs grew stronger while driving

heading out towards Assateague island

discovering a beautiful spot on the bayside

a picnic bench overlooking the bay

hardly anybody around on this cool spring day

watching the seagulls gliding by

wild ponies wandering through the distant marsh

kayakers rhythmically plowing through the cold choppy waters

you carefully arranged our picnic lunch

the food you had prepared was divine

gulping the salty fresh air with each delicious morsel

the chilled rose was a perfect pairing for the cool breeze

closing my eyes with every sip to see the long hot summer days to come

picking up the apple with my left hand

as my right hand reached out to hold yours

gripping them both firmly for a few tantalizing moments

squeezing your hand hard every time I bit into that apple

savoring the sweat tangy taste of that juicy fruit

pausing a long time after swallowing each mouthful 

you gave my hand a gentle prompting squeeze

before every delicious crunching bite

that apple lasted an eternity