Long time loving

Autumn it is and, bright in the bushes, berries swell,

the final push of summer’s pregnancy.

The leaves on the trees begin to pack their bags.

Slowly they stiffen, preparing to fly, 

but I stand rooted on the spot, captive in time’s tidal flows.

Layers of memory mingle and mix;

the winters I walked here, the summers and springs,

the many different types of me that wooed these woods

and loved the gentle contours of this land.

I hope you understand that

every type of me was touched by you.

When I flew like a bird, 

you were the tree in which I sang.

When I stumbled in dark caverns of the earth 

Yours was the voice that led me out again.

Unerringly, you sense the good in those around;

unstintingly, you seek to serve.

Your head and heart are full of burdens – not your own;

but burdens that you carry out of love. 

Sometimes, in dreams, I am a young man once again

and single, unattached.

I wake in panic, fearful that a slip of time might mean 

we never met or you, in wisdom, 

chose another man.

I wake and you are always there,

as constant as the trees I love,

as rooted deeply in the earth,

as spreading, lovely, in the light.

Whatever of our brief and fragile life remains

I pray that we will weather well the seasons yet to come

and, find a joy in even winter’s cold 

where crackling fires 

are stacked with logs

and stories told. 

In grateful thanks for our 40th wedding anniversary 

25th August 2019