love eternal

For all the years we were together
Through times of sunshine or stormy weather
I never heard you raise your voice
Except in church when you sang "rejoice!"

We lived together forty years;
through times of laughter and times of tears
you never said an angry word
Except when I cursed the name of our Lord.

I'll never hear your voice again
Or suffer with you in your pain
Or join with you in evening prayers
Except when my thoughts are with you there 'upstairs.'

I loved you lass, with all my heart
And I know, at times, that I wasn't smart
You could have left me, that I know
Excepting that you loved me so.

And as I stand here by your grave
I promise you, I will behave,
God help me bear the loss and pain
Until we come together again.

This poem was a finalist in the January 2008 poetry contest