The Two Of Us Poem by Curtis Johnson

The Two Of Us
By Curtis Johnson

I can see us now, sitting out back under the fruitless mulberry tree. Whether sitting side by side in lawn or rocking chairs, we are talking, smiling, and occasionally, holding hands.

Our three children are fine and so are the six grand kids. We are grateful to the Lord for their health and general welfare. We did something right, because all three are out and on their own. Hooray! They are emancipated!

Many were the days and years of our lives, with both the joys and the sorrows. But we are here now, both happily retired. Forty years married and together still, no excuses, no regrets.

On the patio or under the canopy, a bird stops by and sings a quick tune and flies away. A squirrel or two climbs from the tree, and hurries across the yard in search of fresh nuts or some other seeds. Peaches and tomatoes, we all get along just fine, not watching the world pass us by, just birds and squirrels instead.

During swell with a minor ache or pain here and there. But not to worry, not much for which to be sorry, and no need to hurry. God has always been good and faithful.

My wife strikes up with an acappella chorus of “He Touched Me”, followed by another favorite of “In His Time”. Yes, we rejoice, because He is still touching us and making all things beautiful, in His time.

We speak of times, people, places, and events; some recent and others of the distant past. Like when and where we met. Like our beloved pastor who joined us in Holy matrimony. And yes, like the long drive through the night from Chicago to our honeymoon site in North Western Wisconsin.

Moreover, I get romantic and begin to speak of her smile, a head turning and beautiful heart catching smile. The smile that swept me away, compelling a stoic and shy young man of 20 like me to confidently say, “Hello”.

We trust that we are wiser now than we were back then and back there. Clearly, there is no doubt that we are grateful to be growing old together. cj12282012