Strength Beyond

The love I have for you, my dear, is more
than daily jobs, all burdens that I bare.
What gift you give, the priv'lege to adore
the one beyond my ev'ry waking care!
The list of reasons that I love you so
surpasses what a lady writer wrote.
Elizabeth could count the ways, I trow.
How could I number or bespeak the quote?
The days of youth began the pleasant view
of one so lovely, that the ling'ring years
make visage seem of aging but a few,
that time now past draws from my eyes great tears.
I love the days, I love the ways I see
your lasting beauty lives such joy with me!

by Jay O'Toole
on February 19th, 2019