A Favorite and Well-Fitted Glove

A marriage formed by insisting parents To join lands and force grudging events We stood stiff, shivering and apprehensive Each of us nervous, fearful and defensive He was over six feet one inch tall I was only four feet eleven inches small Clutching wilted wild flowers to my breast Wearing a shapeless yellowed white dress His shirt was murky grey his suit was done for Pants too short and his coat an eyesore The minister mumbled words barely audible Yet we heard him say without any fumble I now pronounce you man and wife Together you are forever joined for life Dizzy, I fell into shadows and confusion But my new husband moving with precision Caught me his enclosing arms fixed firmly Saying softly in my ear and only for me I’ll take care of you, I promise, wait and see We began our marriage studying each other Faking indifference our interest under cover My husband was confident and never grim I became proud that folks respected him His humor was dry spicy and often wicked I’d blush and laugh I just couldn’t help it His cursing was mild but if he was riled He’d switch to Croatian no translation required! We began to thaw to be at ease to yearn Each of us maturing determined to learn. We worked hard to make a stable marriage Careful to find nothing to dislike or disparage The core of our marriage was warmth and contentment As we tirelessly worked towards a life-long commitment Laughter and tenderness ensued sharing passion Soft endearments whispered even if old-fashioned We had stops, starts, and minor setbacks As we finally tread on true and straight tracks We cultivated a strongly anchored life and love That enclosed us like a favorite and well-fitted glove Our foundation cemented as the years sped by We had no children and only God knows why We filled this lack by composing and teaching He a sports coach instructing and training While I by feeding and seeding in writing To those young minds uncluttered and seeking A short path is upon us as we rehearse our final bow Our off-stage exit beckons as we share a loving vow To never forego our familiar and loving banter That has been the link forging our balanced center That cultivated our strongly anchored and enduring love That now resembles a familiar and favorite well-fitted glove. Revised March 22, 2019