My wife died last month
and she loved this poem;
my son is getting married
and I want this poem
to cheer
for him and his bride;
I am sad
and nothing makes sense,
but these verses still manage
to lift me up;
I half recall these words
but can you finish the couplet for me
and help me to get it
out of my head;
I am ill and old
but give me some John Donne
to remind me that I was once
young and in love;
I am young and in love
and please don’t use my name
but play this poem
for my heart’s desire.
From Poetry Please: the poetic pulse of a nation, The Guardian, 26 September 2013. Submitted by Ailsa Holland.