For Karl
by Becky Brown
January 30, 1996 (Karl and Becky's Sixty-First Wedding Anniversary)

Somehow we have lived
One more year together
In spite of the risks
Of being eighty plus.
We have strung pearls
Of days shared
Into this year's necklace of
Tears, pain, and laughter
Then brilliant bursts of
Discovery of ways to give
More jewels of love
To treasure in our hearts.

Let us celebrate
The epiphany of sixty-one years
Of sharing passions
Dreams, children, losses
I salute you, Karl
For staying with me
And me for staying with you
For this long
Excruciating
Exhilirating
Journey together.