On yellow sheet of faded whites and blacks,
With twenties' laughter peaking over hats,
A bride in white beside her groom in slacks,
Across the window, near the bedside sat.
The daises fresh were kept in vase at first,
But peaceful days were lost to tiny hands,
By second year, the days were spent in jest,
The tiny terror tracking trails of sand!
As days passed candles longer stayed at nights,
As lady kept her vigil over food,
So, she and he could catch the starry sights,
But not before the child was tucked in bed.
The lady bakes her man's beloved bread,
With sweetest, crunchy crust and spicy smell.
Just after kissing lady, out he fled,
With coffee aftertaste from morning bell.
The son is playing throw and catch with dad,
While heaving ball no farther than four rolls.
With strut triumphant, holding spam in hand,
Declares that she had saved five cents in sale.
The husband washing dishes after meal,
While heart of hearts with needle, mends the rips,
In summer rains, he repairs the roof-seal.
They both in winter enjoy skinny dips.
The child has fever burning one o' two,
The mother cried before the lord and kneeled,
The father threatened doctor that he'd sue,
To cure his son whatever bill it reeled.
The boy is charged and spanked for ***** mouth,
The boy had grown three-fifths a quarterstaff!
The boy then moved away to room in south,
As bed no longer fits their two and half.
The family sets out for Sunday church,
In tight and formal dress with sulky teen.
And after sermon stop for early brunch,
Then homeward bound for chores yet unseen.
As dandelion the boy has flown afar!
The lady knits as Christmas drifts away.
The lord of house has lost the balding war!
She hides from mirrors showing white and gray.
Awaiting granddaughter’s letters every morn,
And taking longer walks along the lake.
While holding me to breast, they softly warn,
That only death together may them take.
Then moved away from lovely bedside stand,
And packed inside the cardboard box with rest,
In shadowed attic I was left to guard,
The tales of dad and mom were laid to rest.
The life of a loving, wedded couple in 1950s from the perspective of a wedding photo.
