I got a note from my friend in the mail. He just got married. It was a private ceremony, he didn’t invite anyone.
He enclosed a handwritten poem:
“Thought I’d be single until I rot,
But someone thought I was hot,
Look at me, I just tied the knot.”
Cute.
My friend is a bona fide poet. He went to school for such things. He was an eccentric free spirit who lived alone in a poet’s ratty apartment—which smelled like a wet bird dog.
He stayed up too late, writing poet’s poems. He ate ice cream for breakfast. Cereal for supper.
He had big plans for his life.
Then she happened. He met her at his nephew’s soccer game. She had three kids.
Our middle-aged, fun-loving, bird-dog smelling bachelor became a family man with three kids, a minivan, and a backyard that won’t mow itself.
Yes. I like love.
I know another woman who found love. Her husband divorced her at age seventy-three. She was a wreck. She didn’t think she would survive.
She stayed indoors for a few years, and hardly ever saw the sun.
Then, something happened. She began to make friends. She went to the beach some. She stayed up late, she went on dates.
Then, he happened. She met a retired boat captain—he steered barges on American river routes.
She married him. He asked what she wanted for a wedding gift. She wanted to see the world. He booked a one-year trip to Europe the very next month.
I could tell love stories all day.
Like the one about Stephanie and her husband—now there’s a story. They were told they couldn’t have kids. It devastated them.
A few years later, her best friends passed away unexpectedly. Her friends were in their thirties, with a two-year-old son.
Stephanie adopted the orphan and welcomed the child into a pink-walled nursery she’d already given up on.
Then, three years later, she got pregnant.
Truth told, I always wished I were a poet, like my friend. But I’m not. I use too many words for poetry. If I WERE a lyricist, however, I know what I’d write about.
I’d write about the unseen thing that changes you. The thing that makes all your grand ideas fall through, and replaces them with simple ones.
I’d write about how even though you are your own worst enemy sometimes; even though people wrong you; even though you almost give up hoping, it finds you in the end.
Maybe my poem would go something like:
I hope you never stop believing,
Even if believe be all you do.
May you laugh too much,
Cry too often,
And eat a biscuit or two.
May you smell too many summers,
Kiss too many bloodhounds,
And never act alone.
May you ruin your shirt with fresh tomato,
And forget to check your phone.
May someone take your hand,
Just when you think you’re done.
And show you where you’re going,
No matter where you’ve gone,
May heaven shine upon you,
And may you always find a home,
May you read the words, “I love you,”
In the last stanza of my poem.
Because so help me, I really do.
35 comments
Linda Whitman linda - September 27, 2018 7:28 am
Sean, you, my friend are a poet in every sense of the word!!! I love your writing so much!!!?
I wouldn’t miss it! Thank you for sharing your words!!! ?percent!!!
Nancy Thomaston Rogers - September 27, 2018 8:01 am
I love you too!
Amy Mack - September 27, 2018 8:06 am
You’re a poet who didn’t know it! We love you too.
jones - September 27, 2018 10:27 am
Thanks for the first smile of the day! I enjoy your writings and look forward to reading each one.
Marilyn Vance - September 27, 2018 11:07 am
Maybe you are a poet after all!
perry5360 - September 27, 2018 11:14 am
❤
Alice - September 27, 2018 11:32 am
This is beautiful❤️I love you too❤️❤️
Terri C Boykin - September 27, 2018 12:12 pm
Tears me up a tad. Love you much Sean.
Barbara Pope - September 27, 2018 12:24 pm
You are a poet–of a sort!
Becky robertson - September 27, 2018 12:38 pm
Oh man. Of all that have been my favorites this is really my favorite. Beautiful.
Glenda - September 27, 2018 3:05 pm
So do I.
Kathy Smith - September 27, 2018 12:40 pm
I love this!
Patricia A Schmaltz - September 27, 2018 12:41 pm
Let’s see if we can introduce you to some country singers… you DO have what it takes.. for the words, maybe not the voice (me either!). Love this. Love you.
Connie Havard Ryland - September 27, 2018 12:47 pm
I’ve given up on love for myself but I love seeing other people find it. I like your poem. Love you. Be safe.
Marty from Alabama - September 27, 2018 1:13 pm
Your poem was, uh, nice. But please stick to your writings. They are so much better. I say this with much love.
Janet Mary Lee - September 27, 2018 11:30 pm
Nah, don’t listen, Sean. Your poem made me smile and went straight to the heart!! better than most cards now days! That could be a new venture!! Sean’s South Greeting cards..I would send them!! Big Hug!! Love you too!!
Leslie - September 27, 2018 2:15 pm
Thank you.
I love what you do.
Do what you love –
It’s your gift from above.
Whether we’re young or gray
Your words make our day.
So again, we thank you,
Saying we love you, too.
Jon Dragonfly - September 27, 2018 2:18 pm
He’s a poet,
And don’t know it.
But his feet show it,
They’re Longfellows.
Kay Keel - September 27, 2018 2:44 pm
Love this and love you! You are a ray of sunshine on those days that sometimes seem gray. Thank you!
Grace Murdock - September 27, 2018 3:26 pm
Sweet. ❤️??????
Carol - September 27, 2018 3:30 pm
All I can say is how I feel at this moment!
It’s been 15 yrs,15mo,15days,15hrs.15min,15sec.
Sence I lost my Love!
I’m too old and will never have another!
But I have you ! Thank you!
Love ya!
Valerie - September 27, 2018 3:50 pm
Exactly what I needed today. Thank you
Karen Irby - September 27, 2018 4:27 pm
Sean, you are so precious! This message especially touched me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your love. God truly blesses us through you!
Donna Wharam - September 27, 2018 6:15 pm
Just beautiful ❤️
Thank you Sean you make me smile everyday
Brenda McLaine - September 27, 2018 6:22 pm
And I love you, your wife, your dogs and your stories!
Edna B. - September 27, 2018 6:27 pm
My goodness, you’re a poet too! Tis a lovely poem and I’m so glad you shared it with us. Best wishes to your newly married friend. Sean, I wish you a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Joy - September 27, 2018 9:33 pm
Thank you Sean for another beautiful post….You make my day better every day! Please don’t stop writing and your poem was neat too!
We love you Sean! Your wife and your dogs too!
Kathy Burgess - September 28, 2018 3:33 am
I love you back.
Patricia Gibson - September 28, 2018 7:45 am
Love you too!!
Bobbie - September 28, 2018 12:33 pm
You’re the best!!
Gale Smith - November 24, 2018 8:11 am
God is love.
Debra Lawrence - November 25, 2018 6:17 am
This is my favorite of your posts yet. It touched my heart in a very special way. I love your writings!
Aunt Si or Martha Black - February 15, 2021 4:01 am
I love your poem
I love that you love us
And we love you just, if not twice, as much……….
Rick.bialac - February 15, 2021 6:53 am
I am a poet
I didn’t know it
My feet show it
They’re Longfellows
Julie - February 16, 2021 1:59 am
Your poem needs to be sung, by you.