A Sonnet for My Valentine
Our Love
Should I compare our love to this full moon?
No way! Each month its light takes off alone.
A rose? The petals swoon and fray too soon.
Our aging love is like an old, gray stone.
We share this ever-present weight, too great
To move, too there to notice much, unless
You stumble into it. Your toe’s poor fate
Reminds you to regard what you possess.
The endless sometime flow of rain and tears,
Unfinished kids, dishes, bills, day and night,
The moments snatched from sleep for all these years,
Has rubbed our stone until it’s smooth and right.
Who cares that others don’t discern its shine.
This old, gray stone is only yours and mine.
So many songs, stories, and poems are about the excitement and/or despair of early love. What about lasting love? Does anyone have a favorite text about love that stands the test of time?
For more Poetry Friday visit Linda at TeacherDance.
© Elizabeth Steinglass, 2013, all rights reserved
Very nice. I like the old, gray stone rubbed smooth.
Thank you!
This is lovely – so true to what “old” love feels like…smooth and right.
Thank you!
Wonderful.
Thank you!
Lovely, Liz. A perfect metaphor. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks, Renee. Happy Valentine’s Day to you too. They must have wonderful Valentine’s traditions in Itay, yes?
“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined . . . to strengthen each other . . . to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories” -George Eliot.
I agree, Liz, it’s the worn grey stone that feels best in your hand.
I like that quote–silent unspeakable memories. Or even silent, unspeakable moments added to the weight of the unremembered…
I like this! Very nice.
Thank you!
Oh the strength of love like a stone: smooth, heavy, strong and weighty. Lovely, Liz, just lovely. And I laughed at David’s response! He must be very happy to be married to a poet: YOU!
He’s charming enough to pull that off twice!
This is lovely. My husband and I recently celebrated our 47th anniversary. We understand this poem. 😎 Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you and congratulations! I’m so glad it resonates with you.
Charming Liz–love the ever-present weight/your toe’s poor fate (not sure what that means if I relate to love as a toe-stubbing presence.) And also love this smooth gray stone that reminds me of Lake Michigan.
Hi Buffy,
I find that sometimes even our smooth stone trips me up but then that sharp little pain brings the bigger picture into perspective. I keep this rock on my desk. I think it’s from Maine.
It’s just so beautiful, Liz. My husband found a rock that looks just like a baked potato and gave it to me one year. I think now it will mean even more, although that rock sits in my kitchen reminding me about the little things that are important, like you wrote too. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Your husband gave you a rock? I think that’s very sweet.
Oh yes, I can definitely relate. Solid, comfortable, rubbed smooth with shared experience. Nice job!
I’m so happy you can relate.
Hello there Liz. Your poem has transformed this to one shiny gleaming rock indeed. 🙂 Power of words.
Thanks, Myra!
Beautiful sonnet, Liz! I can feel the love and commitment in every line, but this line struck me especially because my love and I are experiencing it as well:
“Unfinished kids, dishes, bills, day and night,”
You captured a long lasting relationship perfectly. Happy Valentine’s Day! <3
Thanks Brigid, that line resonates with me too. One reader advised that I change unfinished kids but I can’t part with it. It rings so true to me.
This is absolutely gorgeous! I read it quietly to myself then out loud to my husband and we nodded our heads in agreement. Just lovely!
Thank you! I’m so happy you wanted to share it with your husband and that it worked for both of you.
I just love this: “Who care that others don’t discern it’s shine./This old gray stone is only yours and mine.” Thank you so much for sharing!
I love that part too. It may not look like much to someone else but it means everything to me.
Love this. I tried to pick some lines as favorite, but I wound up with the last half of the poem…which needs the first half. So. 100% Love!
Thank you!
A winner, Liz, in the quiet steady manner of a smooth grey stone. Makes me wish I had read it before I chose the ee cummings poem– written on hearts and pinned in 5 pieces to five freshly ironed shirts in valentine colors– that I gave Fiona as a gift. Chocolate, flowers, diamonds? Old love appreciates laundry, watch batteries and cups of tea in bed. : ) Happy V day to you and David.
Thanks Heidi, I’m honored! Watch batteries?! so true. Happy V to you and Fiona. It sounds like Fiona received a very lovely gift.
So poignant, so true. How much we appreciate the solid weight of lasting love as we get older! You captured it beautifully, Liz!
Thank you! Yes, it’s the solid weight that keeps us grounded.
Great down to earth Valentine’s, Liz! Relatable to all I am sure.
I LOVE this!
I love that last couplet, Liz.