I’m at the top of Life’s hill now,
perched on the precipice
ready to begin my inevitable rush
through old age,
marking my descent
by the passing Saturdays,
my favorite day of the week.
My favorite time with you.
Rising just a bit later
to the smell of brewing coffee
and a ginger snap or two;
sitting with you, side by side
in our chairs in the living room
like Edith and Archie Bunker,
you reading your paper,
me working in my Saturday journal,
sometimes talking together,
or reading a book to one another.
Nothing usually planned except
you mowing the lawn in the warm months,
or seeking that always illusive hobby
in the off season;
me cooking bacon and eggs for lunch;
the rest of the day uncommitted
stretching out before us
like one of Bilbo’s adventures.
These are the times I am
content, at peace, at one with you.
And I wonder every weekend now
how many more Saturdays
will we have together?
I wish with my whole being
that everyday for the rest of our lives
could be Saturdays.
At the bottom of the hill
I don’t want to leave you here
sitting all alone
with your coffee and cookies,
no one to talk to,
no one to make plans for the day with.
But neither do I want to stay if you are gone.
Saturdays would never be the same
without you here.
Saturdays with you are such a joy,
but they scare the crap out of me, too.
What a lovely tribute to marriage. It reminds me of a quote from ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’, where Gabriel proposes to Bathsheba. He says “Whenever I look up, there you shall be, and whenever you look up, there shall I be” – ofcourse, she considers herself far too good for him and winds up marrying the selfish Sergeant Troy, but that ends badly, and then… but I’m losing track here. The thing is, I grew up waiting for Gabriel to say that to me, but a wicked Goblin…No, stop it.
What I’m trying to say is, yes the future is scary, but isn’t it lovely to have a life partner who knows the worst things about you, but loves you anyway, and vice versa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. He’s stuck with me now! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then he’s a lucky man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I reckon he thinks that every time I have supper ready for him before I take off for book club on Monday nights! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post Calen. He is one lucky man…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Means a lot coming from you, Arinel, since you know him well, too.
LikeLike
I am touched beyond words by this. It is such a beautiful love poem. Since I am one who has already lost my life partner and has no more Saturdays with him in person, I understand the trepidation evident in your writing. But for myself, although there will be no more Saturdays with his physical presence, I know I am adequately prepared and well grounded to continue those Saturdays in my memories. It isn’t easy but we learn to persevere. May you have many, many, many more Saturdays together..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you hit the nail on the head for me. I am not grounded enough to be able to manage on my own. Partly his fault for keeping me somewhat dependent on him. He thought he was loving me, but, in truth, I don’t think he’s done me any favors by being that way. I’ve gotten climb out of my shell and start being more independent. Your comment really touched me. Thank you for responding.
LikeLike
Oh goodness gracious green! You put into words feelings I understand so well, it makes me feel misty eyed. We’re just a bit ahead of you, our every day is like Saturday, with the exception of the days when we have errands to run (we never go out on Saturday)… The eggs come on either weekend day. But we sit together, not in side by side chairs, but he over there in his book nook, and I here in my own comfy compy cave. He’ll be reading, and I’ll be journaling, or blogging, or painting art for an art challenge in a forum elsewhere. When something hits one of us, we talk, and share fun or interesting tidbits. At lunch and dinner, we sit in the TV room and eat, with our beloved sock monkey, who gives a running commentary of everything. That’s us doing our infamous ventriloquism act. We haven’t gotten tired of our routine, or drive each other any more crazy than before we were here, snug as two bugs in a rug. I have a sense, you’ll do just fine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I were that confident. See the above quote… (So you haven’t killed each other yet? Lordy! I hope it’s that way for us if we make it to retirement! 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
This needs to go in your published collection
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not in a place to think up a smart arse comment to that today! I love ya, dude, for being such an encourager. {{{Plato}}}
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know sug
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can almost see the two of you sitting together…a heartwarming song, wishing you endless saturdays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course I might start to feel differently about that when he retires in two years! Gawd! Life could turn in to endless Saturdays and they wouldn’t be special any more. Oh Lordy! LOL 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am learning women never change! LOL😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hm… Is it that we never change, or we’re just afraid to do anything about it? I’ve been asking myself that question for years…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do need some time alone, don’t we?
LikeLike
Yeah! Now that I think of it, maybe afraid to change.
LikeLiked by 1 person