When I first played football
I was a fat kid. They put fat kids
Up front, on the lines, where they
Fight with other fat kids. The point,
They tell you, is to either tackle a guy
Or to make sure your guy
Does not get tackled.
That was my job for ten years
Because for some reason even
When I lost weight, I was still
A fat kid.
I’m still a fat kid, and in a way
It is still my job. But it is more
Metaphorical here. My job is
To make sure you aren’t tackled.
I’m not always successful,
but I try my best.
There’s no one that I would rather
Have on my team, to help me tackle
Or to protect from being tackled,
Depending on the exact situation
Or how we can map this metaphor
Onto real life.
Jesus was a carpenter
in his younger days
he might have made crosses
under contract of the Romans.
Hewing the wood and shaping the joist
as a craftsman proud of his work
but dubious of its purpose
As he dragged his own cross up
the hill, did he have time
to appreciate the skill
of the unnamed carpenter
who made his cross?
I have a confession to make
I don’t remember my wedding vows
I would have to ask you to find
The paper I wrote them on
To remember all the promises I made.
I do remember the paper in my hand
marked up the night before
when the rain hit the window and I couldn’t
Sleep.
I know that I tried to tell you then
How much I love you and how surprised
I was that you loved me
I also don’t remember
Other poems I wrote you.
Other futile attempts to let you know how
Much I love you
and how surprised
I remained that you still loved me --
a love, growing deeper
Every day. Every foot touch,
Every smile and kiss, and all the deep
Inhales of our scents
as we try to experience
Loving each other with every
way our bodies offer.
All Those words are gone,
Blown away
like the wind on the next day
As I saw you come down the aisle
And there was only me and you.
I feel that every day, and I want to enjoy today
As I do every day, growing more in love,
Remembering
A promise is not just one day
But actions, repeated every day
Remembering
Every day is special, not just today.