Let's Build A Life Together[? ] …… [wife's Request; Bonding; Longish; Personal] Poem by Bri Edwards

My dear wife has requested that I write this poem,
and though many may say 'you can't', I'll show ‘em!
I had my doubts about the task at first, I'll admit,
but to admit I can't rise to the challenge, I'll not submit.

What does 'build a life together' mean?
Let me now, for you, propose a scene.

Hand-in-hand down high school halls we'd walk.
On phone each night, together we would talk.
After graduation you'd work in a bank.
I'd get drafted and learn to drive a tank.

We'd write several times to each other most weeks.
We'd have our 'valley' moments, but mostly 'peeks'.
While on leave I'd meet you if I could.
Our time together then would be so good.

Discharged in two years, I'd give you a ring,
and a year later, at our wedding, to each other we'd sing.
Nine months later along would come our first son.
With a child to raise, and jobs, it would not be all fun.

But we'd do well enough with support from friends ….
and relatives, when we'd encounter life's twists and bends.
With no tank-driving jobs available in our town,
I'd get a job at the city's post office. (DON'T you frown!)

Over eight years we'd have a daughter and a second son.
As we got the hang of parenthood, we'd have more fun.
We'd get our first little house, with a garden plot.
We'd go to church, the YMCA, and the city park, a lot.

We'd have a station wagon to get kids here and there.
You would neatly cut mine and our three kids' hair.

But, wait! NONE of that happened to YOU and ME! !
At least it didn't happen to us as a couple.

You were born across an ocean, speaking not my tongue.
We didn't meet till many years later; we were NOT young.
I had three wives before you, a daughter, and murky waters.
You had one husband and one lover, and you three made two daughters.

I was a blue collar worker, doing this and that.
You were a white collar worker. You even wore a boss's 'hat'.
I never was in debt, at least not unreasonably, ……..but
when we met I had very little money, unlike you, as anyone could see.

I'm a talker, you not so much. You eat sushi; I potatoes.
I like BLTs and red sauce on pizza, while you avoid tomatoes.
You are suspicious of our country's president, and …. perhaps that's good,
but I try to have faith in our government to do ….. what it should.

At least neither one of us smokes, cigarettes OR joints,
and neither of us believe in God. Does that give, OR take away, some points? ?

We've now been together seven years, and I do NOT have the 'itch',
but neither do I always feel close to you, especially when you bitch …..
about my hearing, my loudness, my memory, AND my driving.
Sometimes it seems our relationship is going to Hell, …. instead of thriving.

We each get upset at times with the other; what could we expect?
But usually, no matter how bad it gets, our problems SOMEWHAT 'correct'.

So, can we honestly say that we are building a 'life' together,
or are we 'treading water' and waiting for less stormy weather? ?
All in all, with you I am content, though at times we do each resent ….
that the other does not give in easily …. when disagreements we do have.

(November 12, 2014)