To My Wife

Sonnets, romantic images and flowery language –

none of these convey the depth of

my love for you.

When words are not enough,

I reach out and touch your face.

How do I love thee? –

Let me count the scars:

Your victories over childhood abuse.

The daughter we lost.

The times you almost died.

Living in barrios and rancherias, willingly.

Hair greying from hard yakka, of necessity.

Auto accidents – operations – injuries.

Your courage in adversity.

To date – for half our lifetime we’ve built

a family together.

Future –

the rest of our lifetimes together,

however long or short.

In material things – not a lifestyle, a mere fabrication

substituting for true life-purpose -

More sickness than health.

More poverty than riches.

More worse than better.

Over half our lifetimes we’ve built

a life together.

A real life – with purpose,

full of the things that matter and continue -

Commitment,

Loyalty,

Trust,

Listening,

Sacrifice,

Understanding,

Passion,

Compassion,

Acceptance,

Faith,

Forgiveness – lots of that!

Half a lifetime

has been too brief.

When words are not enough,

I reach out and touch your face.

By James Gagiikwe  © 2007