Akkina Downing Poet Free verse

Marriage

I was told...
A happy marriage is based on communication
A healthy marriage is based on 
understanding each other's beliefs and differences 
A fine marriage is based on 
respect, trust, and love
For better or worse 
In good times or bad times
Forever till death do us part 
Perfection we crave 
But... what perfect aliens are those
defying all odds
Then I learned... there is no such 
perfection in our kind 
Even a happy marriage can fall apart 
when the important become second
Even a healthy marriage can 
fall apart when stress arises
Even a fine marriage can fall apart
when the essence of trust slips into doubts
Yes I believe... it all comes down to HOW we 
treat each other 
So... for better NOT worse 
Be in it because it's what your heart desires
NOT what your mind fools you to want 
Be in love with each other with all your heart 
and soul NOT you have no choice but stay
Need each other physically and emotionally 
NOT just financially 
And be in it because life would be meaningless 
without each other 
And last but not least... appreciate each other 

Perfection is when you smile genuinely!


Akkina R Downing
          4-26-17

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Darlene De Beaulieu January 12, 2018 at 2:28 PM Oh..my gosh! I made this poem my favourite,but I did not comment. So Sorry!!... Lots of good advice here, I like this poem. Have a nice day my friend. Akkina Downing January 12, 2018 at 3:14 PM Awe thank you so very much, I truly appreciate your kind and sweet comment. And the fave! Hugs and smiles :)

Vera Duggan January 5, 2018 at 7:15 PM Another brilliant piece Akkina, there is no such thing as perfection, Marriage is something that you have to work at, I always think that couples divorce is because they don't try, Marriage can be a wonderful thing which as you know i have found out, thank you for sharing my dear and take care.......Vera

Tim Smith September 5, 2017 at 4:54 PM Do we want perfect?...I don't believe so but giving all of one self unto another is a beautiful thing. Love is a gift and should not be given freely but shared with an utter conviction and sincerity. Extremely gorgeous musing Kina...smile Akkina Downing September 5, 2017 at 5:46 PM No one is qualify for perfection. Lol! And yes love is a gift that should be shared and be cherished. Thank you Tim very much... Smile :)

Robert Nehls July 7, 2017 at 4:58 PM Hi Akkina. Marriage is a fragile flower that must be tended to every day. But, if you discover, "that your life would be meaningless without each other," then the tending becomes a wonderful joy. Words of wisdom my friend. I enjoyed reading it.... Robert. Akkina Downing July 7, 2017 at 6:09 PM Thank you so much, Robert :)

Gayle Rodd May 26, 2017 at 8:41 PM A gift from my husband's grandparents who were married 62 years said simply "Be kind to each other, the secret that makes marriage last the years." Funny how so many people forget these simple words and this piece spoke volumes! Akkina Downing May 26, 2017 at 9:03 PM Wow, 62 years!! That's beyond awesomeness :) wow, that's just amazing for sure. Well thank you for sharing it and thank you for your beautiful comment :) hugs :)

Freddie Robinson Jr. May 26, 2017 at 7:18 AM Wonderful words of wisdom, Akkina. I needed to know some of that at the time my marriage fell apart. I more wiser now though, in part, thanks to wise poetesses like you. Graceful and spiritually uplifting poetry. Well done, my friend. A 7! Love always. Akkina Downing May 26, 2017 at 8:01 AM Awe, you just made my morning Sir, and thank you very much :) hugs

Pashang Salehi May 25, 2017 at 3:38 PM You said it.... Although we are not perfect but we are complete. SMILE Akkina Downing May 25, 2017 at 5:14 PM Great to see you visiting me Pashang. Thank you very much and big big SMILE back :)

Kamal Jaiswal May 12, 2017 at 1:23 PM I think you experienced alot the consequences of marriage you taught me reality great work keep it up Akkina Downing May 12, 2017 at 3:19 PM Thank you Kamal very much :)

Laken Smith May 9, 2017 at 9:54 PM beautiful Akkina Downing May 12, 2017 at 3:20 PM Thanks Laken :) hugs

Connie Marcum Wong May 8, 2017 at 11:51 AM I agree Akkina. After enjoying a long happy marriage, the secret is to put your mate first. Both parties must make it their top priority. A beautiful poem my friend. 7 ; ) Akkina Downing May 8, 2017 at 12:24 PM Thank you so much Connie I appreciate your kind comment very much... Hugs :)

Eileen Manassian May 6, 2017 at 11:42 AM This is wisdom, indeed. Lovely poem, Akkina. It's so wrong to go into a marriage with romantic idealism. Love is a decision as much as it is a feeling. Thanks for your visit to me recently. Blessings Akkina Downing May 6, 2017 at 11:54 AM Im delighted to have you here Miss Eileen. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend... Hugs :) Kina

Kai Michael Neumann May 5, 2017 at 11:10 AM I like that. Great message. I have been there - and/but just in case you may want to know. I am happily remarried and the lessons from before, have made me much happier and more serene. Many wishes, Kai Akkina Downing May 6, 2017 at 11:51 AM Thanks Kai, and I'm genuinely happy for you :) Hugs... Kina

Darius Howard May 4, 2017 at 9:11 AM I agree with your poem based on marriage. You have captured the truth behind the veil. I only hope through time, so many more see that there is so much more, that can be gained. Not lost within a courtroom of who gets this or that. Great read! Akkina Downing May 4, 2017 at 9:32 AM Thank you so much Darius :)

Gary Bateman May 3, 2017 at 2:10 PM Hello Kina, Thanks for your recent comment on "My wish for you." I do certainly agree with your verse here on "Marriage." Perfection is never possible, except ". . . when you smile genuinely," as you've very aptly noted!! Smile a lot!! Human Beings are not perfect and never will be. My wife and I have been married for over 26 years. Love, Patience, Respect, Caring, and Shared Interests -- for example, have been very important to us in our marriage. A Marvelous Poem!! SEVEN/FAV!! Cheers, Gary Gary Bateman May 6, 2017 at 4:40 PM Thanks Kina!! Ingrid and I hope to be around together for a very long time!! Keep up all of the wonderful work you're doing with your poetry. The Sky's the Limit!! Stay in touch. Cheers, Gary Akkina Downing May 3, 2017 at 5:08 PM Thank you so much Gary and wishing you and your wife many more years... Hugs :)

Doug Vinson May 2, 2017 at 3:06 AM Yes, Akkina, how we treat each other. People get married too soon. People give up on marriages too early. Or the opposite of those. I heard many things through the years, but always felt there has to be a basic *rightness* between two people, despite that, as they say, you can "work at a marriage." Waited until I was 41 to get married, and even then - far from perfect, of course, if anything perfectly imperfect. I've stayed with her, and she with me. We're right for each other. Akkina Downing May 2, 2017 at 6:18 AM I'm glad to hear you're happy with each other. That's a wonderful news and thank you for your visit and kind comment :)

Phil Capitano April 29, 2017 at 11:14 AM Perfection is to be sought but never reached, in life and in marriages. Relationships need to be worked on to survive and thrive. Namaste. Akkina Downing April 29, 2017 at 12:16 PM So very true Phil, thank you so much :) hugs

Joseph May April 29, 2017 at 10:22 AM Perfect marriages are a fragile thing, and can be shattered so easily..Great message Akkina Akkina Downing April 29, 2017 at 10:54 AM That's for sure Joseph. And thank you for your comment I appreciate very much :) hugs

Curtis Johnson April 28, 2017 at 8:26 PM Akkina. I draw much wisdom from these words. I suppose perfection marriages were designed to be pursued to keep our eyes on 'The Bar'; not something so easily reached. Perhaps 'perfection' best portrays 'The Perfect One'. Much happiness to you my friend. Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 10:17 PM I learned there's no such perfection. Lol! Thank you so much for you visit and kind word, Curtis :)

Old Man Emu April 28, 2017 at 2:49 AM Well said! Love is not a feeling its a wilful act. Enjoyed your poem. Regards, Craig Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 4:59 AM You are so right Mr. Emu, and thank you so much for taking your time to read and comment on my poem. It means a lot to me :)

Edward Mccall April 27, 2017 at 11:21 PM There is a wonderful message here; marriage is a beautiful thing but more often than not it isn't perfect. And you are correct about perfection being when you smile genuinely. A great write Akkina. Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 10:11 AM Thank you so much Edward, I appreciate your time and comment :)

James Inman April 27, 2017 at 11:00 PM A beautiful point of view Akkina. People get married for many reasons and love is sometimes secondary. That doesn't make their reasons any less valid. James Inman April 28, 2017 at 11:45 AM Agreed. Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 10:12 AM So long as they're happy, right :) thank you James :)

Wendell Brown April 27, 2017 at 10:51 PM There is such a meaningful message in your words! I love your poem, my sister. It reminds me of a poem I wrote called 'Together.' I will share it tonight! You are an amazing poet, with a selfless heart! God bless! Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 4:56 AM Thank you so much Wendell, it means a lot to me. I appreciate your comment :)

Glen Schwartz April 27, 2017 at 9:01 PM Love it !! Great write , I think my marriage works because we are a team . It's me and her against the world and we're winning .. :) Akkina Downing April 28, 2017 at 4:55 AM That's what I want to hear. That's fantastic and thank you :)

Emile Pinet April 27, 2017 at 6:00 PM This is a strong poem, full of wisdom and understanding. It flows like the currents of life, with a realistic crispness that pulls you along to the end. Emile. Akkina Downing April 27, 2017 at 6:19 PM Awe, thank you so much Emile, it means a lot :)

Anne-Lise Andresen April 27, 2017 at 1:00 PM - In happy days ... there will be uphill hills and downhill hills ... but that does not mean that marriage is bad ... so is life ... and love gets stronger - A lovely poem, Akkina :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Akkina Downing April 27, 2017 at 2:37 PM Very true Miss sunshine :) thank you! Hugs

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