ROCKING ON THE FRONT PORCH

An elderly couple on a summer night

sat on their front porch rocking,

holding hands, still much in love,

they rocked and sat there talking…

“You were my prince, my knight in shining armor,

my Robin Hood, my bold pirate of the seas;

when I first saw you standing there,

oh Love, you stole the heart of me,

in those tight blue jeans and slicked down hair.

I remember, you had just turned twenty

and I was sweet sixteen.

We fell in love and married soon

and oh we’ve had our dreams

and life’s been so much more…

To think that sixty years have past

since you waltz me across that floor

on our wedding day. Oh how I loved you then

and I still love you more each day than the day before.”

And they sat rocking in their rocking chairs,

each wondering how many more

precious years they’d have together

before death came knocking at the door;

no longer young, they’re dancing less

but loving all the more.

“Oh I remember,” he chuckled softly.

I thought you must be a beauty queen,

must have boys swooning at your feet,

wouldn’t have a second glance for me;

me, just a poor farmer boy,

not much about me would appeal

to such a lovely flower as you,

but you sure did my heart steal.”

“Why, dear, I was just a plain Jane,

nobody much at all.

Beauty queen, a Belle, oh my,” she giggled, “I say not.

I was feeling a like a shy violet

sitting there against the wall

was all, not one gave me a glance

and my heart nearly jumped out of me

when you asked me to dance.”

“Well you looked so pretty sittin’ there,

I had to take a chance,

had to find some way to meet you;

but so scared you’d turn me down

when I asked you to dance,

Honey, I’m sure glad I took the chance.

He grinned. “You know, I almost didn’t;

and he gently squeezed her hand.

She giggled, “Well I almost did, you know,

but before the night was over

I knew I had me a beau.”

“Guess I stepped on your toes a bit,

but you never said a word,

you were so sweet;

I remember, your hair smelled like a rose”…

“You did, and you still have two left feet,

but my, how you could polka”…

“Well you didn’t do so bad yourself.

Our life sure has been one sweet dance.

You’ve been my strength, my courage

and my help. I’m sure glad I took that chance

that night I saw you sittin’ there

looking oh so pretty in that lovely dress,

it was pink, I think, as I recall.”

“It was lavender, my dear

and you were so handsome and so tall…

You’ve been my constant inspiration.

From that moment you gave my heart wings.

It’s hard to believe it’s been sixty years

and you still make my heart sing.”

For just a moment they stopped rocking

and he leaned over and kissed her cheek,

“Well honey, he said, we haven’t always had life easy

but life with you sure has been sweet

and I’ve not regretted for one moment

that I took the chance,

that night so many years ago

when I asked you to dance.”

“And not for a moment have I been sorry

that to you I said yes.

We may not have had things perfect

but life with you has been the best

and you still are my Prince Charming,”…

“And you’re still my beauty queen…”

And they sat there, quiet, rocking;

Sixty years had brought them far,

listening to night birds sing,

watching the moon and stars;

Years working side by side together

through happiness and tears,

each other’s strength and inspiration

for the past sixty years.