To His Wife Poem by James Harpur

from Oracle Bones


Let us live dear wife as we have lived,

And call each other by those names

That lingered on our lips the first night of our love.

As years add wrinkles to our ageing skin,

I hope to God the day does not arrive

When I forget that you're my sweet young thing

Or you no longer see me as your suitor.

Though you outlive the prophetess of Cumae

And I surpass the age of old King Nestor,

This ripe longevity we shall deny:

Instead of ticking off the days of life,

We'll count the joys they bring, my dearest wife.