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
