Classic Poem

All through our lovely married life
I've had to go away.
And it was always you, my dear,
Who was back home to stay.

It wasn't my own choosing,
But the Government, which said
That I must leave my family,
And sacred marriage bed.

The FBI was first to pry
Our soothing arms apart.
And, each time I returned to you
With ever swelling heart.

The Foreign Service, next, attempted
Separate our arms.
But I was not to be denied,
Returning to your charms.

I came back to you every time,
From places I can name:
Tegucigalpa, Honduras....
Pronounce it just the same.

Then 'international conferences'
Descended on our life.
The separations that resulted
Could have brought some strife.

The OAS had quite a meet,
In seventy and four:
The farthest from you I had been,
Yes, Quito, Ecuador.

And that same year Geneva had
Some orientation;
Then on to Spain to bring our daughter,
Karen, 'home in one.'

The 'Law of Sea' then intervened
In seventy and five.
Considering that travel,
How did our love stay alive?

Again it was Geneva with
One month between our touch;
But you have that memento in
A lovely pendant watch.

Ensuing year, the 'Law of Sea'
Did do us in again,
By interrupting annivers'ry
Five and ten and ten.

The time I spent in New York town,
One hundred fifty days,
Had left me spinning like a top,
And kept me in a daze.

In seventy and seven it was
'Law of Sea' once more;
But, just to help with my replacement:
Help him keep the score.

So, three short trips up to the 'Apple, '
Only ones I had.
In retrospect, then, I must say,
That year was not so bad.

And now the year is seven-eight;
Again, it's 'Law of Sea.'
Again, I'm in Geneva but
This time you come to me.
Before, I've always gone away,
And you, the one to bide.
This time you close the distance,
And, my feelings, I can't hide.

You've come a long way, Gerry, and
May our reunion be
The best that it has ever been:
This time you come to me.


(May 1978, Geneva, Switzerland)