Real

Wow, twenty years 

It was twenty years ago 

In front of family and friends 

We stood and made promises 

One to the other 

In those twenty years 

(And the eighteen months before)

There had been hard times 

There has been raucous laughter 

There have been bitter tears 

We have endured sad times 

We have held hands and hearts 

While saying goodbye to loved ones 

Family and friends alike 

There have been celebrations 

We shared with our plethora of kids 

There were times we simply held them 

As their lives and hearts were broken 

There have been joyous welcomings 

As we added to our still growing family 

There have been heart rending moments 

As some gained wings before joining us 

We have been through the gamut 

Of joys and of sorrows 

While keeping the promises 

We wrote and spoke twenty years ago 

Still, there are times 

Sometimes late in the night 

I’ll reach over in the bed 

And I’ll simply touch you 

There are still times 

When passing you in the hall

Or in the kitchen

Or sitting at a window 

I’ll reach out gently 

And touch your shoulder 

Or caress your back 

Or stroke your hair 

I’ll give you a quick hug 

Or three quick kisses 

Or hold your hand briefly 

Just to be absolutely sure 

You are real 

This is real 

My heart believes 

And simultaneously 

Cannot believe 

This is real

Twenty years plus 

I’m still not sure 

How I deserve you 

And all of this 

So, I’ll keep checking 

With a touch 

With a caress 

With three quick kisses 

Real 

Ron Simpson Jr 

October 8, 2023 

(In anticipation of 

October 11, 2023