Anniversary-Bitter some, sweet much

           Poetry Friday is hosted this week by Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference.


Yesterday was my husband's and my 48th anniversary.  It's difficult to write about, but even worse to ignore.  I have had so many happy years, really all of them except this recent one.  I don't want the unpleasant stuff at the end to overshadow every other year.  There has been just too much joy in our lives to dwell in shadows.  So, I've written a poem, for me, for my husband, for you, to celebrate this special day.  


                                          Traveling

I’ve traveled many paths with my husband;

nearly all are sweet.

I’ve walked down the aisle to him at our wedding,

pausing only for photos and smiles.

I’ve hiked in a Costa Rican cloud forest with him

holding onto his belt as we pulled ourselves up the trails.

I’ve skipped down a sidewalk to our car – twice,

carrying our babies from the adoption agency.

I’ve tiptoed in European cathedrals with him

gazing together, up and up and up.

I’ve accompanied him to the funeral parlor

preparing to choose his father’s casket.

I’ve run with him down the scree of Crater Elegante

laughing and shouting across the air for echoes.

I’ve taken his hand as we drove away from the store

where he had lived his working life to care for his family.

And now I wheel him in an enclosed garden,

on a gravel path, round and round, round and round.

            Our new journey grows complicated by diverging paths,

            yet we are still together.