Wife (poem)

This is one of Dad's first poems. It seems to express his vision of his dream for a family with my Mom.

A wife is the one a man loves most dear 

When they are apart, the one he wants near 

to comfort him in his hours of sorrow 

To tell him of a bright new tomorrow 

when the world will be happy here 

Her children with pain she must bare

 this thought is met with a solemn stare 

As if the pain she wouldn't feel 

This was to be a happy affair not an ordeal. 

She gets the worst of the deal and thinks life is fair

Loving care she give each child 

Soothing each hurt with a smile 

She tucks them in bed with a kiss 

from each, thinks I am lucky to have this 

Even if it's only for a little while 

When her days work's through 

then she takes her rest too. 

When I get to singing the Blues whether it be good or bad news 

I thank God that He gave me you.

 If I ever finish this poem, I will let you know. I wrote it for you. 1956

Author's Note

(On first reading this, I thought it was a write he did after my brothers were born possibly when Mom had had a miscarriage. On closer inspection, it was one of the first things he wrote to her after they married. He was in Officer training and she was teaching, still living with her parents)

Reviews

[Insight "MH"]

This makes me cherish what i have, family being close. Thank you it was so lovely reading this.

[africa]

A truly romantic piece. Many wonderful memories here I'm sure.

[JayceeC]

My dad was a romantic at heart.

[Willard Wells]

You have a lot to live up to as a poet. Beautiful true from the heart and soul words of love. Thank you for sharing and I will get to all of them. I am sneaking up on them.

[JayceeC]

Willard, take your time. I appreciate you reviewing them. Jan

[Taylor]

This says as much about your dad as your mom. What a treasure. May they both rest in peace, now United for eternity.

[JayceeC]

Yes, these were his thoughts and dreams for them together. Now they do have their forever.

[MsJewel]

I can tell this was written from the heart which makes it more beautiful than I can describe. What a treasure for you to find and to cherish.

Julie

[JayceeC]

I'm hoping to find a few more. My sister says there are some in his recordings if I can find them, and they are still in playable condition.

[....................]

such beautiful words from the heart... and those last lines make one ache when they understand where they are coming from... in life we really never know if we will get to finish that poem... beautiful..I see you come by your love of poetry quite honestly :)

[JayceeC]

Thanks for taking the time to read them FT. I know I responded yesterday from my phone, but it evidently when out into cyber space.

[....................]

haha, it's okay... you are welcome, Jan... this is a glimpse into your past and is telling of where you come from... and we appreciate you sharing them!

[jeannemarie coulter]

it is beautiful and such a tribute to a woman well loved...superb...

[JayceeC]

Thanks jc! Finding these was a treasure.

[Coyote Poetry]

A powerful poem. Soldiers have a lot of time to think of family. A good wife is needed for a soldier to stay strong. Your father poem is amazing. He loved your mother.
Coyote

[JayceeC]

She was a tiny thing next to him, but she was his guiding star and touchstone. He was a quiet man with a brilliant mind and an even larger love of family and she was the center of it.
Thanks so much for reading all four sections.
Jan

[Coyote Poetry]

My pleasure and you are welcome.