In Season

 

“…in season or out of season

“Stand up and back him in all men’s sight, with that for his only reason.

“Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide

“The shame or the mocking or laughter

“But the thousandth man will stand by your side

“To the gallows-foot…and after!”

I looked up at her to try to read her expression. Would she be utterly horrified at the thought of my reciting Kipling as part of our wedding vows? Complete with misgendering her?

There were tears in her eyes.

“Is that really how you see me?”

“Am I wrong?”

She bit her lip.

“I hope not, but it’s a lot to live up to.”

I wrapped my arms around her.

“I’m not wrong. I’m not. We’ve been through too much, apart and together, to be able to afford being wrong. You are much more than one in a thousand.”

She kissed me. It felt good to be kissed by that tear-wet face.

 

 

 

 

https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stepping-westward/

The Magic Eight-Ball says: "I wouldn't know, I've never kippled."