Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Today, 42 Years

To Hold

So we're dust. In the meantime, my wife and I
make the bed. Holding opposite edges of the sheet,
we raise it, billowing, then pull it tight,
measuring by eye as it falls into alignment
between us. We tug, fold, tuck. And if I'm lucky,
she'll remember a recent dream and tell me.

One day we'll lie down and not get up.
One day, all we guard will be surrendered.

Until then, we'll go on learning to recognize
what we love, and what it takes
to tend what isn't for our having.
So often, fear has led me
to abandon what I know I must relinquish
in time. But for the moment,
I'll listen to her dream,
and she to mine, our mutual hearing calling
more and more detail into the light
of a joint and fragile keeping.

Li-Young Lee
from "Behind My Eyes"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo from November, 1965.

7 comments:

Diane O. said...

Us youngins' only hit 27 this year. Congrats on 42. You sure do look like a traditional 60's couple in that photo. Have a great celebration.

Sherry Goodloe said...

Have anniversary you two! The longest relationship I have had will be 30 years of employment at The Auto Club of Southern California on June 19th *smiles*

WOW . . .42 years together . . . that's admirable and deserves a standing ovation this morning!! Can you see me standing and applauding?!

Anonymous said...

congratu-fucking-lations!!!!!

m

or j

whichever

Lost Aussie said...

Congrats to you both. I hope the 'bliss' continues as successfully for the next 42!

Mademoiselle Julie said...

Your follow-up post will talk about the "secrets" of maintaining a relationship for that long, right?! Just kidding! Congratulations! Cheers, Julie

Terry said...

I was catching up and started with your May 27 post of all things Yellow, which just brightened my morning; then got to tour ABC with its wonderful stuff, and of course the Met; got blown away by the images from the Craft Show and appreciate all the links to see more work. Finally, this symbol of hope and joy after 42 years, and the incredibly beautiful poem by Li-Young Lee. Its 7:30 in the morning and my day has already been filled with everything I could ask for!

ArtPropelled said...

Oh my word... 42 years!! A belated congratulations to you both. I enjoyed the words of Li-Young Lee.