The Arrival

That day in May, when I was young,
I met the one.
He was new in town,
starting life on his own,
looking capable and grown.

I, the waitress with long dark hair.
He, the customer, so handsome and kind.
We smiled, we talked, we made a date.

Followed a summer full of 
sunny days at the beach,
with bonfires and dancing in the evening light.
But only one year, then he had to leave.

We said goodby
 as he left for war,
hoping survival was his fate at that door.

Battles do damage to peaceful and serene.
The body returned, thinner and lean.
followed more slowly by an injured soul.

Eventually the hope returned, 
some healing did arrive.
We married joyfully, gratefully
sharing decades of life.

He is always the one
I am so happy to see
A survivor, my husband
and protector of me.