I'm a tough old bird
To land on your roof
I chose you with care
Because your house seemed solid
A high rise in the pecking order
So I have a good view
And can Squawk with high praise
Or issue stark warnings
From my lofty heights

Then with flapping wings
I can soar up to
                         a limitless sky
Full of magnificence and attitude
And from being all at sea
I'm now majestc in flight
Making my presence known
To all below!

I've lived my life
Watching you closely
From childhood dreams
To adult gains
Many victories and a few near misses
All experience noted
And me just being there
Watching and hoping
I'm not left behind
With my two black patches
And glassy eyes staring ahead
But seeing no future
Just acting on faith
That you'll remember me
And give me a cuddle
As I belong to you.

Our house is
                     an artist's palette
Transformed daily
With a mix of different moods
Picked from a scale of emotions
And blended to just the right colour
Expressing happy moments
Shared contentment
Wild passions
Dark nights
Ever varied in subtle tones
Surrounding us with
                                    both familiar and new
Sometimes streaks of grey
Or muddied paws
Adding special brushstrokes
But always a canvas
To create a home
With happy thoughts
Lighting up and
                            keeping perfect harmony

Broken soles
All worn out
No tread left
To run or dance
Just down at heel
Poor comfort
On a hard path

But silver linings
Cushion sore hurts
Making light
The next step
Until I get a grip
And set a gentle pace
On the road to recovery

Now you say you love me
Can that still be true?
I kept my place beside you
And watched all you do

Your love has not been tender
Even from afar
You made me realistic
And raised me to the bar

Now I see you clearly
Dazzled by your light
I'm betrayed and open hearted
Even in my fight

We didn't know we had it all
Only when we saw the fall
No one else to blame
I love you all the same

The time is now - I'm present
Awake to so much more
With love all around us
It's you I still adore

Ideas in skeins
Mentally unravelled
Then cast on in even words
Forming a neat row
Sorted and knitted together
Growing bold
And picking up the pace
No loopholes left
One by one
Purls of wisdom hung together
Increasing and decreasing
A pattern hard to follow
But made clear to fit
Then cast off and put together
To make your peace

"This time it will be different"
                                                we say
Starting out with so much hope
For bright beginnings
Thinking the spark will never fade
And the pursuit of happiness
Will not go unrewarded
But on the path of love
New ups and downs
Can set aside good will
Making mother's warning
'Not to court disaster'
                                     all too real
Voicing those "if only's "
And "this is all enchantment"
As if true love
Were just beyond belief
So when the moment comes
And a miracle occurs
It's time to be together
Plan a future
Make a difference
Realizing love was there all along
Sustaining our connection
Being ourselves in the end.