Touching the grave lightly with his hand.
As I watched the way he caressed that grave,
My eyes brimmed with tears that I couldn't save.
I drew closer to where he sat on the grass,
And stood still watching, not noticing time pass.
I stood there quietly, unsure what to do,
Wanting to speak, but unwilling to intrude.
Without even looking, he seemed to know I was there,
As he lifted his hand and wiped away a tear.
"This is my love, my heart and my life,
The woman who lays here is my dear wife."
I didn't know what to say to this man so bare,
So all I did was stand there and stare.
"Come sit with me and I'll tell you about love,
The kind that can only come from heaven above."
He looked up at me and patted the grass,
And so I obeyed;I did as he asked.
As I made myself comfortable, there on the ground,
He taught me lessons that made my heart pound.
"Never go to bed unknowing of the love that you share,
Never take them for granted, they won't always be there.
Instead, tell them that you love them every day,
And make it true, not just something you say.
Never go to bed without first a kiss,
When they are gone, that will be what you miss.
Don't worry about problems that occur every day,
Just be assured in the knowledge your love will stay.
Never let go of them without a fight,
Never let a love die that's so obviously right,
Keep your heart open, never shut them out,
Always tell them your fears and your doubts.
Never say things to hurt, never tell them lies,
It's no use anyway, for they'll see it in your eyes.
Please pay attention to these words I've given you,
And one day you will have, a love that is true."
When he had finished, we both stared at the grave,
My mind was full of the wisdom he gave.
Time passed by quickly, I'm not sure how much,
As I thought of this couple who had endured so much.
I realised the sun was sinking in the sky,
And I looked at my watch with a regretful sigh.
"Thank you Sir, for the lesson you told,
You can be sure it is one I will always uphold."
I realised with a start that no one was there,
I was confused, all I could do was stare.
As I gazed at the grave, through the haze of my tears,
I read "husband and wife for forty~eight years".
As I rose quickly and walked stunned to my car,
I saw in the sky the first evening's star.
I'm still not sure what happened that day,
Maybe he came back, 'cause he had something to say.
Maybe that man had to share what he learned,
That love is a given, it does not have to be earned.
But to keep love alive and not let it die,
You have to keep working, you still have to try.
I learned that day what I needed most...
And I believe that lesson ~ taught by a ghost.
Ker, 11th November, 1999.
