THESE YEARS

THESE YEARS

(Jeff speaks):

If we had not met so long ago
These Years would be poorer now
Because I know that I would surely
Have lost the treasure of this generation

I have been enriched by your goodness
Made whole by your long standing patience
Astonished at how it could last so long
I didn’t know These Years would come

(Diane speaks):

I am comforted by your strength
Excited by your causes
Interested in your experiments
However they may have turned out
Astonished that it would last?
Not, me,
These Years were always my bottom-line

We have seen the Paradise in December
And Boardwalk in July
We have marveled at waterfalls
In Hawaii
I held your hand in Ohio
I touched all of you in Florida
Here, is where we have reached
These Years

(Jeff Speaks):

All that I have seen and experienced
Nothing has compared to the birth of you
I thank God and your mother
For your beginning
Your father
Who gave you life and heritage?
For preparing you for These Years
I am made humble
by your humility to bless me
with love

You, the one
Standing there with three children
Belonging to me and to them
We, present and honored
Belonging to you
Thank you for staying
These Years
Thank you for caring,
Sharing
Serving
Stabilizing our very existence
For all of These Years

(Diane Speaks):

Because of you, I am loved by all
They see us and they are jealous
Not of us
Of These Years
They need and want
Our intimate Friendship
Our Loyal Love
They want These Years
Because by them
They are happy
They are validated
They want us to last.

(Jeff and Diane Speak Together):

These Years are historically precious
They are recorded in records
Not yet written
They are etched in memories
Of those who have yet to live
People will ask:
“Did you know Diane and Jeff?”
People will respond: “I knew their love.”


Earthene Fleming August 8, 2003

Author's Comments:
"These Years is another poem that began with two words and ended with this offering. It is to read as if the couple is speaking to each other with Jeff speaking first; then Diane. If you would like to read it, then substitute your names in the last verse. Be sure to give me the credit. I specialize in writing and reading Anniversary Poems. Your comments are invited and appreciated."