And, I’ve had your babies,
vacuumed your floors,
knitted you sweaters.
Washed your shirts
and your towels;
my speciality, changing
them from white
to varying shades
of the spectrum.
For forty years
have travelled with you;
weathered your gales
and tornados – bathed
in the afterglow
of halcyon days,
talked you through
those bourbon
and whisky nights
and give us a break
lazy afternoons.
Seen you change
from a fresh-faced
young boy
who lived life
in the fast lane,
to a cynical
been there and done that –
best do it my way,
choleric, old-timer,
leering at the haze
of fast-passing days
like a through-train
at a station...
Danced to your drum
till my feet
are torn and blistered...
been with you – places
no parents should go...
wept together with you
at the foot of an olive tree –
embodies our daughter,
and the answer
to your question
is a thousand times, yes.
Of course I still love you,
you crazy, but wonderful,
tumbledown shack
of a man
that you are.
Comments
Geertje Jong | January 19, 2011 - 19:40
What a wonderful ode to love!
Geertje
celticman | January 19, 2011 - 19:44
nice.
Silver Spun Sand | January 19, 2011 - 19:46
Thanks, Geertje;-)
Silver Spun Sand | January 19, 2011 - 19:47
Thanks too, celticman;-)
Beeme | January 19, 2011 - 22:41
I really enjoyed Tina, a lovely love poem :)
Beeme xx
Silver Spun Sand | January 19, 2011 - 22:51
Beeme - thanks so much. I really enjoyed writing it, too;-) I only hope my other half doesn't read it!!
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | January 20, 2011 - 09:54
You've a way with words yourself;-) Many thanks for them;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | January 20, 2011 - 14:04
That second stanza is out of this world, Tina! There are so many delicious images here - and I love the poem's overall message. A very well-deserved cherry ;)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | January 20, 2011 - 14:09
Thanks, so much, dear Magic.
It was one of those poems, written from the heart, that almost wrote itself...and I know you know what I mean;-)
Tina xxx
skinner_jennifer | January 20, 2011 - 15:09
Hi Tina,
I like that this poem is straight to the point,
telling it like it is, hope you know what I mean.
Thanks for the read.
Jenny.
Yutka | January 20, 2011 - 17:28
this is a charming and clever ode to a relationship. It is thought provoking and lets one count one's blessings...
Yutka:)
Silver Spun Sand | January 20, 2011 - 18:18
You're more than welcome, Jenny. I so agree with you about being straight to the point. In my book, a poem should not mean, but be.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 20, 2011 - 18:20
Yutka - it is always lovely to hear from you;-)
Thanks for reading this one and for your kind comment. I guess we, all of us, should count our blessings more often.
Tina;-)
rjnewlyn | January 21, 2011 - 00:34
"Ah, bless!" were the first words in my head after reading this. It's probably a better love poem than anything that gets written by people in their 20s. To be able to say that after 40 years is quite something and worth celebrating.
Rob
SundaysChild | January 21, 2011 - 04:19
This is great Tina. Really really enjoyed reading this one.
Firebird | January 21, 2011 - 09:29
Such a lovely poem, Tina :)x
Silver Spun Sand | January 21, 2011 - 09:43
Thanks, Rob...I shall pass those words on to my other half of 44 years this year, would you believe? Mind you, I was of course a 'child bride';-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 21, 2011 - 09:44
SundaysChild, many thanks;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 21, 2011 - 09:45
Firebird, so appreciate your taking the time and trouble to read this, and I am pleased it didn't disappoint;-)
Tina x