Poems: A good marriage is...

I realize I haven't posted in over a month. I also realize that this probably amounts to about 6.7 lightyears in the blogging world.

I've been wanting to share this poem for a while. Someone slipped it into one of our wedding cards and it now hangs on our fridge, where I often re-read it. I don't know where it came from or who the author is, and a Google search for her name was largely unsuccessful. Apologies to any un-married readers, as it speaks exclusively about marriage- however every time I read it, it strikes me how true it is. Let's see if you other married folks agree:


A Good Marriage is:

A solemn, binding wink.


A hand to hold, on the dark path.


A look that explodes into laughter.


Two heads on one pillow.


Chili without grease floating on the top.


Knowing the lipstick on his shirt is yours.


Knowing the glow she has is from your kiss.


Overlooking apple cores in ashtrays, socks draped on door knobs, doors slamming and words that shouldn't have been said.


Warming sunshine, when the chill winds of misfortune blow across your path


When you stumble, a hand under your elbow.


A fragile thread of discovering love, soon woven 
into a garment of irreplaceable comfort.


The solid bulk of him to lean into.


The shimmering heat of her,


A light in the window.


Going one more mile.


Knowing when you reach- you will touch.


Bed Talk.


A fresh breeze, scattering the storm clouds.


Hearing the pride in his voice when he says,
"I'd like you to meet my wife."


Giving it all you've got, every minute of every day,
to keep that pride in his voice.


Saying "Hello, I'm here, I'm yours," with only a glance.
For always, in all ways.


Remembering a good man any day is hard to find.


Remembering a little tenderness and blarney go a long way.


When she says, "I listen for your whistle coming up the walk, it's the best sound of the day.
Instead of: "What! Are you home already!"


When he says, "You're all woman now, no girl could have your beauty."
Instead of: "Why don't you try dyeing your hair, or something?"


Never saying, "If I had married Harry..."


Never telling her, "I wish you'd married Harry..."
-PADDY NOYES