Happy Anniversary Poem by M.J. Lemon
Happy Anniversary
It started out
with him saying it was his anniversary
the twentieth
I said
reflexively Happy Anniversary
right before he added
yes exactly twenty years ago
I nearly bled to death
such an ugly hunting accident
thought I'd lose the limb
that was twenty years ago.
Twenty years ago today
They were slim then
the chances that all would be fine
I wanted to crawl under
but saw not a single rock
He continued
adding detail after detail
seemingly wanting to relive
the ordeal
was this nostalgia?
a real relationship?
I sensed good feelings
from a life reeling
A celebration of survival,
I thought
The really bad and the really
good may over time occupy the same
emotional real estate
a happy couple never
to separate
if the drag of carefully cultivated
sensibilities does not guide one to
a place of trauma
a place of euphoria
In the mind, with time,
the good and bad
can fuse, forge an unbreakable bond
unbreakable in the way that is rarely
supported by the body
or our relations
The hunting rifle and the soulmate
can meet:
shotgun wedding
Montague and Capulet hate
so much
they kill one another
Capulet and Montague love
so much
they die for one another
And so I and the other
one talking jovially
becoming hoarse
the other thinking
there can be an anniversary
that cannot ever end
in a divorce
The story telling is growing from from first line until the last one. In between it has different colour, feeling, thought left in my mind.
As always, a brilliantly crafted work of art, M.J.! I truly believe that Daniel Brick would have loved this poem. And he would have had a blast in critiquing it!
I concur with Poet Menon. For me, the 1st thing that came to mind was the film, The War Of The Roses. Although I first saw it upon its release, the memory is as vivid as if it was today. I had thoroughly enjoyed both films.
That is another great film, and another great memory. Now I'll have to find time in the near future for The War of the Roses.
2) (Contd from..) ..Kramer Vs Kramer, the old Hollywood movie. Watch it, if you haven't yet….
Thank you so much, Unnikrishnan. You just brought back some memories. I have seen Kramer v Kramer, but it has been many years. It may be time to revisit that classic.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
7/29/2025 10:14:25 PM # 1.0.0
I have seen and watched all films mentioned here, but the most tremendously I enjoyed of your excellent poem, dear M.J. TOP Marks for such am magnificent poem!
Many thanks, Sylvia.