The Faithful Wife

Believing that marriage was ordained of God;
that, like a seed, it needed constant nurturing,
she sowed her deep devotion with a hope
that stretched beyond an ordinary scope;
scanned schisms that had left her desolate-
until it reached the heavens with her prayers.

With unusual restraint, she held her tongue
countless times. . . and listened.
If matrimony were the fire in a hearth,
she supplied the kindling and the logs;
then lauded him for twigs 
that on occasion he tossed in.
Some nights she’d lay a weary head 
upon the chest of one she called her husband
 (when he was fast asleep and didn’t know). 
and she'd feel the beat of a heart he wouldn’t show.

With humbleness she supplicated God 
that she might find connection with her mate.
She wondered and she wondered why. . .
if thoughts, invisible, which were transmitted
to the Lord, by Him were then received,
why could not her words directly spoken
to the one on earth she loved, be heard?

Daily on her knees, she telegraphed celestially
with faith extraordinary. . . and wisdom came. 
Her love would not be broken, and she grew.
The seed she’d planted too 
took root and grew until there came a time. . .
she laid a greying head upon the chest
of one that was her husband(not in word alone),
who watched her as she drifted off to sleep.
With his heartbeat strong in her ear,
she heard him whisper softly, “I love you”
as he kissed her cheek. “Goodnight.”

For the contest FAITH/ sponsored by A Rambling Poet
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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12
Seeker Avatar
June 8, 2022 at 12:29 AM
Indeed, love penetrates the coldest hearts, in timeless time ~ beautifully penned, Andrea!
Solomon Avatar
June 7, 2022 at 6:10 PM
Awesome Work.
Carber Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Quite beautiful--coming on 41 years myself, yes, marriage is strange and wondrous...
Yvonne Avatar
November 12, 2014 at 8:22 PM
Congratulations on one more win way back then. Love the concept of this write, also beautifully composed. The end is very touching. Fav
Poet Avatar
January 14, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Hey isn't this the same one -THE LONG SUFFERING WIFE-that is one of my FAVS....can not forget that one.....kashinath
A  Avatar
March 15, 2010 at 6:27 PM
I see alot of good comments . I love the way u start the poem 2 the way u end it as well. Enjoyed the read...Irma
Byrne Avatar
March 1, 2010 at 10:36 PM
God this is really nice............really enjoyed!
Freakasso Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Interesting Andrea! Do we have lot's of them around,I've spent my life with wedding three; a straight one not yet found. God Bless PRINCE
Skyles-Theoklapoet Avatar
February 7, 2010 at 2:26 PM
This was a beauty I liked it so.About my apology a friend had trouble with the owners of soup and I stook up for her.Teresa
Fraser Avatar
February 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Many congratulations on your win in the contest Andrea >> James
Haick Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Hey Andrea, my congratulations on your poem winning a place in the contest! And thanks also for reading and commenting on my poems. Peace and love, Audrey
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Congratulations on your win Andrea. I already told you how much I liked this one. Love, Connie
Bingham Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 12:48 PM
What an Awesome, Awesome set of words. I thank God all the time for the love that he gave to me in my wife. Nearly forty years and they have only gotten better. God Bless my friend and please keep writing. Ron
Loving Iii Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 11:33 AM
this is a masterpiece. i'll send it to my faves. you have captured lives on less than a page and made me know that i desire this kind of love. alas you have taken me where i wanted to go. to the land of perfect poetry. and i'll end by saying this. God has blessed you with a masterpiece because you have looked with in for His voice inside of you. God Bless John Henry Loving III
Johnson Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 11:13 AM
A lovely story of devotion and faith and reward. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 6:49 AM
Congratulations Andrea, on your placement in The Rambling Poet’s “Faith” Mini-Poetry contest with these words of commitment and patience in love. Your heartwarming story has placed you in the winners circle. Smiles, Dane Ann
Dufresne Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 3:11 AM
Andrea, I missed this one! So glad you entered it. What a beautiful narrative poem. Hit me right in the heart. wonderful, faith filled true love. Congratulations . This is great! Robert
K. Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 1:32 AM
it's me again, just got back running errands :) I think I'll agree with Ruben and stick with narrative :) free verse would be more general and this write of yours I think does classify under narrative :) thanks for all your comments :) really happy you liked my new ones ^_^ heading to your new poem now...I still owe you an email ;)
K. Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Hi Andrea :) I've sprouted like a mushroom again---had problems with my internet connection, sorry--anyhow-this poem just captures that very essence of your title and you have several lines here that are just eloquently written, everything ties together beautifully (can't help but smile at your last two lines, made me wonder a "husband's" version would also be interesting...)--I know yet again this will do well in the contest :)
Esquire Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Dear Andrea, If the Rambling POET is a true connoisseur of POETRY YOU have First place in this Contest Good Luck ALWAYS YOUR Liege ...HG -- SOUP MAIL CALL
Sweetheart Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Wonderful write my friend Andrea.. your line "daily on her knees, she telegraphed celestially" brilliant..line... the poem is beautiful in its tribute to your prayers and your situation.. luv and enjoyed it.. new blog of mine posted.. about new poem.. luv.. Linda-Marie
Haick Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Oh, Andrea this is about a faithful wife, indeed. A faithful, patient, wife. God bless. Peace and love, Audrey
Beam Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 11:24 AM
our God is awsome good testimony thank you I lub ewe sis (avah ru) = (love thee) in hebrew in Christ Jesus john
Chachere Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Wow!<: so much trust & honesty. this is so cute. and Thank you for the kind comment and your spelling lecture , once again, i get mixed up with that sometimes.hah.Are you an english teacher or something? -Always Lynette
Strand Avatar
January 31, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Always a blessing Andrea.Rgds Brian & thanks for your kind words and welcome comments today
12
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