West Texas, Early February, 1946
Grandmother’s letter to my future father
My daughter is leaving
coming to you
hopefully this letter arrives
before she.
If only plans had worked out as first arranged
the wedding in Spring & she had not insisted
coming to you
beforehand.
I trust her to your care & protection
the paths of love & passion run side by side
at times intertwined, indistinguishable
keep yourself well in hand.
One doesn’t have to be bad to make a miss-step
when in love as much as you two
that mistake could easily be made
& love would turn to hatred.
2 Samuel, Chapter 13.
If you can’t bare it any longer
be married at once
you know what I mean
enter life together.
without
a blemish
without
a regret.
8 thoughts on "West Texas, Early February, 1946"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
What a wise and thoughtful woman. I love “the paths of love & passion run side by side” — she knew what she was speaking about.
An ageless voice. A mother’s love.
Dropping Tamar’s story into the center radically changes how I read this poem. I dig it.
Liz, yes radical, and last night was the first time I acturally researched and read Tamar’s story.
Definitely interesting. Warning, chiding, but also giving a blessing and wishing them both the best.
This has a timeless appeal.
Wisdom for the ages!
Yes, love and wisdom:
One doesn’t have to be bad to make a miss-step