Today the challenge was to write a poem that uses anaphora. Anaphora is a literary term for the practice of repeating certain words or phrases at the beginning of multiple clauses or, in the case of a poem, multiple lines. The phrase “A time to,” as used in the third Chapter of Ecclesiastes, is a good example of anaphora.

I chose to use today’s challenge to honor my friends Joe and Mary Drouillard who celebrate their sixtieth year of life and thirty-fifth year of marriage tonight at a gathering of friends. This poem is for Mary and Joe and all the other “Marys and Joes” out there who know about the cadence of life and enduring love in relationship.

thirty-five years

the cadence of the years marches on
like a demanding taskmaster who knows
the click of steel toe boots on cement tick
tick ticks off time.

the cadence of the years marches on
like a faithful friend who knows
the rhythmic certainty of cadence brings
comfort and consolation.

the cadence of the years marches on
like an ardent lover who knows
the joy of passionate pursuit and finds
shelter and security in love.

the cadence of the years marches on
without reprieve
without permission
without forgiveness.

but you.

you are
my reprieve
my permission
my forgiveness.

you are
my demanding taskmaster
my rhythmic certainty
my ardent passion.

the cadence of the years marches on
and I wouldn’t choose to march with anyone

but you.