It is exactly a year ago to the day
When you said you’d travel the miles to me.
A broken car and a broken dream,
And you would not let me down.
That’s what you said.
You would not let me down.

I couldn’t believe it, this handsome love,
This kind and gentle man
Whose smile crinkled his caring eyes
And calmly soothed my fears away.
A year ago to the day.

I woke that morning with an anxious heart,
And fears plaguing my soul,
And yet you caused the smile to dance across my lips
And the warmth to caress my face.
I seemed to be your only ray of sunshine;
That’s what you said.
You would not let me down.

At work all day, each figure that entered
The shop was a jolt of excitement;
Another sale, another enquiry,
Each brought you closer to me,
And I, closer to you.

No words from you for all that day,
And I believed you would not come.
But still, you drove the miles to me,
And the doorbell rang and you stood before me,
So gently, in your way.
You would not let me down.

As you crossed the threshold of the house,
You crossed the threshold into my life.
I took my bundle of broken dreams,
And I placed them in your hands.
You smiled as you took them,
And you hushed them peace
A year ago to the day.

And when you learned what day this was,
And that I hadn’t told you,
For fear of you trying to be kind but not truthful,
You took me in your arms,
And I knew you’d really meant to let this moment happen.
You would not let me down.

And as morning broke, my heart did too,
Although I didn’t know it then.
I’d thought there was nothing left to smash;
But seconds and hours and a few days later,
You handed back my bundle of broken dreams.
My heart had broken once again, and I knew
That you had let me down.

And every birthday that I’ve ever cursed,
I treasure and curse that one the most.
For these morning hours bring me memories of joy,
Of anticipated fantasy and hope that I
Could be precious in your sight.

But the evening brings the broken pain,
And the knowledge that I could be nothing to you.
And so I embrace the birthday dawn,
And fear the ugly night where dreams grow old and die.

For birthday mornings are fresh with hope,
And potential bounces like kissing balloons;
Unwrapped secret presents, with ribbons
For untying, that share their happy secrets within;
These remain the day’s anticipation
Until the evening closes in.

And so I’ll wake this birthday morning,
And remember the presence of you;
Your smile, your arms,
Your gentle caring,
And the kiss of your lips on my happy mouth
A year ago to the day.

This poem only available on Lush Stories