Love Song At the Fiftieth (I)

 

 

                         Believe me when I say

                         I love you a least

                         as much as I do myself

                         no higher honor can I bestow

 

                         For to go with God

                         is strange company

                         He sits in Heaven

                         a distant figure

                         rather aloof I might add

                         His only offering

                         a mixed bag of moral absolutes

 

                         Travel the byways with me

                         on this little planet

                         believe instead

                         in the miracle of ourselves

                         listen to the wisdom

                         of an old oak tree

                         who sheds his leaves with grace

                         cherish the memories

                         a hushed murmur

                         of human voices

                         on a balmy summer evening

 

                         Our destiny  my dear

                         lies within each other

                         accept my humble gratitude

                         for your gift

                         a fragile cup  perhaps

                         the fires are not as bright

                         there is a steady glow

                         from the hearth

 

                         Remember this  my darling

                         with you to keep me company

                         we can surely evade the curse

                         that has dogged the footsteps of Man

                         since he came upon these shores

 

                         Together  we are never alone

 

 

                                                             Jack Mashman

                                                              1992