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