A poem written for Greg Bauer and Laura Oaster on their wedding day.

Love's Journey

The mention of her name brings a smile

A gaze into his eyes and the rest of the world fades

Her happiness before mine

Life without him, too painful to ponder

Then young love matures

The passionate moments become less frequent

Vulnerability more a weakness than a romantic notion

Love's pain deeper than the happiness it brings

But aged love need not be feared

If mutual dependence is respected and individuality cherished,

If compliments come freely and criticisms only at great expense,

If the good times are clutched to the heart and the rare transgressions quickly discarded,

It is mature love that brings the most joy

Holding her hand, after so many years, still brings such happiness

The warmth of his embrace still fills my soul

Her smile still stops the rain

His laugh still chases away the gloom

Love, respected and reared

Its power not feared

A lifetime will last