The Gift of Love: An Anniversary Sonnet

A week ago Friday was a very special day: my tenth wedding anniversary! Leslie and I met via AOL – a modern miracle. She was recently widowed New Yorker and looking for support from other Christian widows and widowers. I, unfortunately, had some experience and was able to provide some perspective and long distance encouragement. The rest, as they say, is history.

A bit of that history is captured and shared, encrypted in the following sonnet (my first) written for Leslie, but shared here. True love is possible and blossoms in unlikely places. Miracles still happen.



The Gift of Love
-for Leslie on our 10th wedding anniversary-

I had a happy life: three kids, one wife.
Sad day – a lump appeared; the sky grew dark.
And when the storm was done – three kids, no wife.
I journeyed on alone – my outlook stark.

You had a happy life: with child and mate.
Dark day – the babe was gone; a mortal loss.
Before three months had passed – a bitter fate.
First love was gone – a second cross.

Far off we sad did live: two wants, one aim –
To start a life made new; a second chance.
We met, a modern gift – never the same.
You moved at my request – and made me dance.

New life we found afresh: ordained above.
Two lives became as one: the gift of love.