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Life on the Deckle Edge

Poetry Friday - To my Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet

Depiction of Anne Bradstreet by Edmund H. Garrett (19th Century).

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  As we lean towards celebrating LOVE for Valentine's Day next week, I thought we might hear some words from a few centuries ago in New England, long before the United States was a country.  This one's for you, Husband-of-Mine...

 

To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet (1612-72)

 

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

 

You can learn more about Anne Bradstreet here.  She was the first poet to be published in colonial North America, an impressive accomplishment, especially for a woman in the 1600s!

 

Valentine's Day is not an easy day for many - extra love to those for whom it's difficult or bittersweet.

 

The amazing Carol, who LOVES words and images, not to mention her beautiful family - has our Roundup this week at Beyond Literacy Week

*Note* - Life here is still crazy with a multi-part move in progress; I'll be in and out of town the next two weekends, then back in Beaufort for a week or so, and then making the final move to catch up with the aforementioned husband over in the mountains in mid-March! I'll get back into the swing of weekly posting again as soon as possible. :0) 

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Poetry Friday - Haiku in bottle rockets and a big birthday...

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Happy February...

 

Last Friday I was on the road back and forth (again!) to our Upstate SC house, where we are moving permanently in coming weeks. Though life has been chaos for many weeks (Okay, months...) somehow my hubby pulled off a surprise party on Saturday for my 60th birthday (on Monday).  I knew my kids would be visiting, but I didn't know that several dear friends who live in that general region - plus our contactors who are making our basement into a magical living/working space there - would be showing up for lunch & cake! What a treat, and getting to share the surprise and celebration with the  Baby Grand - who enjoyed my gift of a wonderful old Remington typewriter - made it even more special. 

 

Another fun surprise was the new issue of bottle rockets which came a little early, ahead of upcoming postal rate hikes.  Honored to have a poem in it, which kinda relates to this whole getting older thing.  [I'm grateful for every birthday, and I loved what one friend commented on Facebook:  "Welcome to the next level." Ha!]  

 

Also, I suppose this haiku relates to moving as well, as I remember composing it during a gentle rain here in the Lowcountry.  I will miss this place.

 

just beyond

memory's reach

soft rain in the woods

 

 

©Robyn Hood Black

bottle rockets, #48, February 2023

 

 

Many thanks to the oh-so-talented Laura for hosting us all this week, and for filling February with poetry all month long....

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