-your hands-
are on top of mine,
their touch bringing to life myriads of memories.
These hands, worn, well-used hands,
are lovely liver-marked and wrinkled
with the best days of warm caring,
well-acquainted with the bliss of a caress.
Even though they ache in the rain,
these hands are still the rudder of this sailboat,
guiding home a sailor in the setting sun.
These hands unlocked the greatest gift
that one can give another.
A gift you gave me fifty summers ago
when I asked for your hand and you took mine
with these hands that have not
-now I know will not-
ever let mine go.
~
NM
06/21/13
Full Disclosure: I am not even fifty years old. I am also single and have been for what seems an intolerably long time. So this poem is not written from experience, and I do not personally know anyone who has been married for fifty years. However, to me it seems that the truest love there is would weather the tests of time and emerge triumphant. While rare, I am sure there are some individuals who still embody the "til death do us part" ideology. Legendary Radio News Broadcaster Paul Harvey was married to his one and only wife, Lynne "Angel" Cooper Harvey for 68 years. Former U.S.A. President George H.W Bush was married to Barbara Bush for 73 years! My father was married to my mother for exactly 30 years. My mother passed away suddenly at 12:11 AM on the day of their 30th anniversary.
My personal amorous methodology includes what I call the "wrinkled prune method". I try to envision a potential lover as a wrinkly old prune of a person. If the experiences I have had/could have with them, what I know of them and their personality,personae, and true nature at this point and time still leaves me attracted to them, then they are someone I should consider dating/marrying/spending my life with. There you have it, my romantic ethos: One single poet seeking his attractive wrinkly old prune ;P
I am not sure if what I long for is achievable in my own life, but I still aspire to find this lifelong love nonetheless.