A Poem for My Wife
No ‘work of words’ for you.
Why such omission,
when you’ve meant more
than all of those
who’ve gone before?
I guess, because with you
I’ve felt no sense of loss.
No reason to disperse my fear
of loneliness with words.
Or need to harness your belief in me
by fixing pain upon a printed page.
© James Rainsford 2012
Note to readers: Posted as my contribution to Open Link Night at dVerse Poets. Your views are welcome. Please click on the comments tab below. I'll respond to all who read and comment. Why not visit dVerse Poets and read the work of some brilliant wordsmiths. Here's the link: http://bit.ly/oZVbFW
Simply & elegantly put, James...a contented glow of happiness shines off this poem :)
ReplyDeleteerm...wow...this kind of left me speechless! this is more than just a 'love' poem- its a 'life' poem. Fantastically written, and just shows that sometimes the most powerful, personal poetry can be a few thoughtful, precise and deftly crafted lines- not an essay or lines and lines of prose- this is just...well..WOW!
ReplyDeletewhew it was the last two lines that knocked the breath out of me man...it does take a special person to fulfill this though...nicely penned man...
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. We romantic poets usually write of the angst of love or, loss of it. Refreshing to read a poet who never felt in need of declaring it just because he was happy in his love.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly, James. This is why I very seldom write for or about my own husband. It just doesn't apply. the simplicity here does more than a thousand complex constructions to bring the message home.
ReplyDeleteWe do so take for granted, don't we.
ReplyDeleteAlthough....the "never having to say how much ....." is a recognition in itself.
Being an infant poet, I have to say that the universal Angst has daunted me. So this is a real treat.
I loved this. Such sweet love
ReplyDeletePeace to you
what a nice place to be
ReplyDeleteah, perfect love... I think this ranks among the best love poems I've ever read, James - it warms me, it reminds me what is possible
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant James. Indeed, I DID wonder why you didn't write anything for your wife, or thought maybe you just hadn't shared it. Love this piece for an extremely worthy lady!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written, when you have that one person nothing needs to be said and at the same time all is said.
ReplyDeleteYour spousal love is so very sweet,
ReplyDeleteand only a little bitter, as you take
only a few lines and express more
than some of us do with pages of
printed pain; nice job, you lucky
man, husband, poet.
This is so elegantly voiced!
ReplyDeleteTangible and beautiful :)
I like this gentle and lovely writing...very nice James ~
ReplyDeleteSo true. I've been asked the same. Why no poem about me? And I say because you make me happy. Excellente!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to your wife...truly speaks of the calmness she provides for your soul...bkm
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to the love you hold for her--my heart sings for you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you didn't feel the need to write anything. She is fortunate.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Loved it, James!
ReplyDeleteLove it, James.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely wife you are blessed with, James, for you to write that you have no sense of loss or having to disperse with fear. The poem has a very meaningful ending. :-)
ReplyDeleteClever and very poignant, James. I like this a lot.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think that poets have a need to convey anxt and pain and deeply felt emotion, but sometimes we must also be able to write stuff that represents normality - whatever that means to each of us - life that can exist from time to time without pain, but with gratitude.
You express this so well. As I think about it, I've never written a poem specifically for my husband either. Perhaps because there hasn't been that loss or uncertainty that often tinges that poetic work of ours. Occasional homicidal ideation--maybe :0)
ReplyDeleteYou new look is fine. Especially enjoyed having the "About" in full view.