Almost 50 Years

Almost 50 Years

I caught a glimpse of wedlock last night,

Of hard fought matrimony.

Just shy of 50 years,

My mom and dad remain steadfast.

Faithful to the very end.

 

As mom kissed dad goodnight,

She pressed her forehead against his—

And just lingered there.

I couldn’t make out her whispers,

But they were staring intently

Into each other’s aged eyes

Exchanging fierce affection.

 

This coming Christmas would have been

Their 50^th anniversary.

A half century of vow-keeping,

Fighting selfishness with oaths,

Solemn pledges made before God

And a great cloud of witnesses

Compelled them onward, heavenward—

Day after dogged day,

Year after yuletide year.

 

What guileless beauty to behold!

A love just shy of 50 years old

That will transcend time

Long after dad’s departure.

A holy heritage captured

In one simple photograph.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.