~

of pretty girls i’ve known so many,
but i have promised to one only
this heart that her soul warms,
these arms that round her forms,
these lips that to hers press,
these hands her charms caress.
her inner beauty, outer graced,
resides a peace-inducing smile,
adorns her graceful, aging face,
the eyes that show her kindness
call to mine with love’s embrace.

she is easily loved,
not so easily deterred;
her fiercely loyal heart
soothes me when disturbed;
she asks for little, gives unfettered;
hopes for much, in which i’m bettered;
compels me lead, though she is shepherd.
i asked my father long ago
for a mate to hold my hand,
in response he gave me
far more than i had asked.
’twas gifted lover and a friend,
to hold my secrets in her grasp,
she holds my joys, she holds my heart;
she, by far the better part,
of who as one we are.

i, the sinner, become the winner,
absolution mine.
she, forgiver, fault absolver,
i sought her heart with but a prayer;
my eyes awakened to this heaven,
not in wait for what's “up there.”
but wake each morn her fingers wrapped
’round hearts on earth in heavenly clasp.
my father wise, he gave me all,
abundance in what i knew not;
more of what i daily need,
what i hadn't known to ask.

~

*post script.

i have always told her, my father gave me everything i didn't know i needed in a wife. this is evident more with each passing day.  today we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day, another passing milestone since two teenagers fell in love 38 years ago.