I thought to kiss... and TO tell.

Today is national single-awereness day. The day husbands everywhere feel a strong sense of the need to do something. Valentine's Day. Whoo-ahh! (Sarcasm, anyone?)

What to do, what to do? Romance can be a sham. Faked and falsely felt, too. What to do?

Admittedly, I like the idea of intentionally pursuing a heart, of trying to demonstrate affections in an outward manner. It just looks a little different these days when I do so. I suspect that much of the time my wife doesn't even notice little displays.

Well, here's a poem I wrote a few years ago--at least in part in her honor--riffing on the idea of kissing and telling. Supposedly, the "honorable" man will not kiss and tell. I agree. However, I also think there is a time to tell, depending on whom was kissed. So I will tell: I kissed my wife and the effect was revolutionary in my soul. Still is, for I am a rebel and God uses simple means to reach such as me, even the kiss of a bride. Amen.

I thought to kiss and not to tell:

But Pride is such a twisting persuader,

Shame’s such a conscientious betrayer,

And Love’s just an unconscious crusader

Whose mission is to destroy Lust’s cartel.

I thought to kiss and not to tell,

But Pride boasts amidst humble confession,

Shame can willingly yield and make concession,

Love can be lost and opt for secession,

Lust will step in and add to its clientele.

I thought to kiss and not to tell

But spoken words are unnecessary;

For Pride is clothed a reactionary,

Shame is a sin abolitionary,

And Love is a fury that Lust can’t quell.

Pride steered aright,

Shame burned a light,

Love christened knight,

Lust’s set to flight:

          A false kiss will always tell,

          A true kiss is a tranquil citadel.