i am finished with this one

close the computer

walk to the printer

saunter into her craft room

lower me into my chair

she drops her project

looks up, is it finished she says

yes, i reply

i then begin reading to her

still a perfectionist as long ago

when i used to read to her poetry

on a bench in a park

i do not allow myself to watch her

full concentration on delivery
i am Romeo delivering to my Juliet
i have to have full command of bardolatry

i finish and look up

she rises up and takes the poem

sits on the arm of the chair

i wait with the patience of Job

it is beautiful she says

repeats a few favorite lines

pulls me to her lips

some men long for recognition

for their labors

i understand this

but for me everything is within her

that she honors and loves my labors

is what gives meaning to my life

what the world thinks, the world thinks

what she thinks is my world

4/1/19