... (XV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3x9IcFVPAI&ab_channel=DIE4GUY

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Besides the pillow-talk, besides

Those exciting 

First few steps - the ones that walk

With a tension, with nervous 

Possibility, potential and anticipation;

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Besides those first dates, exchange -

The ones that learn,

That catalogue the way we dress,

The way we eat, what we prefer, 

Where we’d go, what we’d do, and why;

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Besides those early days, the ones that teach,

The ones that climb little mountains, light little fires,

Spend midnights on summer beaches, 

That find

Quaint, little bed and breakfasts;

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That discern between 

Bacon and tomatoes,

Honey or marmalade, 

Muffins or toast, 

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Fast or slow …

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II

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But besides all those … my acts of love, 

The real ones, the ones that count,

That took me long years to comprehend, 

The small ones, the ones that dance a little at you 

As they laughingly sweep the kitchen, 

The ones that smile 

With long, tired eyes, the ones that stay up late,

Get up early, the ones that sweat 

Without perspiration, the ones that tire

And exhaust, push and persevere, 

Sweep and laugh and smile

To spite how fatigued they really are …

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Those are the ones that’ve defined me;

Those are the ones

That I’d hope

To be remembered for:

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By the selfless acts,

The thankless acts,

The ones that near nobody sees -

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Acts of love - save for you and

Funnily enough, for me.

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