In 50 Long Years Gone Fast

My husband is in many ways the opposite of me.
Were he to make a left turn along a route, I’d go right inevitably.

Astrologically, he’s emotional (double water) but I’m a stable triple earth.
He rarely laughs, not even at a comic’s show, while I enjoy mirth.

As time went on, I realized he really was a nut.
Had he been a shoe, he’d be a heavy boot, always kicking butt.

Impatient, tactless, rude and often feeling out of joint,
he handcuffed himself to an official’s chair just to make a point.

A self-made gung-ho contractor within years he became.
But being accident prone, himself he often would maim.

Jack-hammered his own foot, fell two stories off a roof,
nearly removed his thumb with a saw (to give you a little proof).

He yelled a lot, got scammed, got stabbed, and had a nervous breakdown,
but he’s not the type of man to easily go down.

He learned to recognize the damage done to himself and his brother
from being raised and controlled by a narcissistic mother.

Once he got on pills for anxiety and depression,
the second half of our married years saw great lessening of aggression.

He worked a bit as a bounty hunter when building got too slow
and drove trucks long-distance too.  Over half the states he’d go.

He aggravates me even now, but he’s much more mellow.
He’s loyal and never could be accused by someone as acting yellow.

Though physically afflicted, we’re both at ease with one another today.
And if he were a shoe, he’d be an old worn slipper - tough boot tucked away.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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Date: 7/22/2025 12:38:00 PM
After reading your email, I had to come read this. I've been married 44 yrs, just to different people. I LOVE this glimpse into more Joel, absolutely learned a lot. Criticism isn't so critical when delivered with wifey affection that is witty, and praises are softly laced around the criticisms. Only love can write like that. Perhaps you should send me his birth details? Love, CayCay soupmail
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2025 12:55:00 PM
I will in a soupmail. Ironically, he is Cancer, like my dad. Birthday one day after my dad's!
Date: 6/27/2025 7:49:00 PM
Awww you must love your husband for expressing this; he seems like a real passionate multi-talented handy-man willing to go the extra mile. I am sure he feels grateful for having such an empathic and loving spouse...I write about my husband and it takes a lot of love to write about a spouse lok
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2025 12:56:00 PM
Yes, he is grateful I am his wife and tells me nice things like how he likes my outfits and how I look and act, etc. But other times he makes me want to SCREAM. hahaha
Date: 6/25/2025 9:43:00 PM
This has made me smile. What a genuine portrait, you have drawn. Though you are at opposite poles, sure there is compatibility. That's why you have been together for the last long fifty years, loving and fighting. But with greater tolerance, now you lean on to each other! We have been together for the past 48 years and feel time has flown very fast.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2025 12:57:00 PM
yes, it goes by so fast!! Congrats to you too
Date: 6/22/2025 7:08:00 AM
Well known for half a century is well loved (with much forgiveness learned). Jim and i are at 42 + 1 unmarried yr together before the altar. So well said here!
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2025 12:57:00 PM
thanks, and wow, you are with yours a long time too
Date: 6/21/2025 12:25:00 PM
That's a long marriage. It's like love that covers- enjoyed
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2025 12:58:00 PM
thanks, Paige.
Date: 6/20/2025 4:45:00 PM
Sounds like its been never a dull moment, lots of stories for the grandchildren.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/20/2025 8:56:00 PM
Yeah. My sisters.snd their hubbies My parents. Gosh I could write a novel. I have a lot of material.
Date: 6/20/2025 6:28:00 AM
Well said Andrea. I would suppose you can finish each others sentences. You and he are each others "sole" mates. Forgive the pun
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/20/2025 9:05:00 AM
I prefer your pun ha ha
Date: 6/19/2025 1:43:00 PM
Andrea, Waited awhile to hear news of your 'double water'. Was well worth the wait. All best wishes for another fifty. -Richard
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/20/2025 9:05:00 AM
I will be dead by then. Haha
Date: 6/19/2025 12:16:00 PM
My experience is similar. Sometimes I get aggravated but we have mellowed. God bless ~ hugs
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/19/2025 12:17:00 PM
I'm in good company then!
Date: 6/19/2025 12:16:00 PM
- "He rarely laughs, not even at a comic show" ... I'm thinking, ... how on earth does he react to this poem ... - With laughter or crying ... - hugs
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/19/2025 12:20:00 PM
He refuses to read my poems and has never read a book in his life. I'm pretty safe to write this. I have written a few poems for him that were pretty nice. He actually DID read those and liked them!
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