Tells me... <br />when she grows up <br /> <br />that she will marry me. <br /> <br />Begs me to wait <br />for her forever <br /> <br />not to marry <br />anyone else ever. <br /> <br />Because she’s six <br />I say “Yes! ” <br />to please her. <br /> <br />It pleases her. <br /> <br />“Promise? ” <br />“Promise! ” <br /> <br />She says “I do! ” <br />I say “I do! ” too. <br /> <br />She goes to bed <br />happy with her teddy. <br /> <br />“But in 2002 <br />I will be 46 <br />all old & wrinkly! ” <br /> <br />Tears well <br />in her eyes. <br /> <br />They glisten <br />as she tells me: <br /> <br />“Don’t be silly! <br />You’re all old & wrinkly now <br /> <br />and...and...I still love you! ” <br /> <br />I’m won over by her <br />logic, honestly & devotion. <br /> <br />Ah, but the years are cruel! <br /> <br />When the appointed <br />year comes to be <br /> <br />I returned to find her <br /> <br />a newly married <br />mother <br /> <br />doting over her <br />newest son. <br /> <br />I remind her of her <br />promise. <br /> <br />She laughs & says: <br /> <br />”No, I...never! ”<br /><br />Dónall Dempsey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ah-promises-promises/
