Marj And Joe

Remember the time when you were young and bold, nothing to worry about, not so much as a care

The innocence of it all was so omnipresent, carrying on on a wing and a prayer

Surely doesn't seem that long ago, but so many years have gone by in the blink of an eyelash

School was finished, then work, then parenthood, then children's children came in a flash

What stands out so vividly in my aged memory bank, for I was maybe in my thirties or so

Is a recollection of an older man and his wife, and how the love for her man did show

He had suffered a stroke many years before, and she had taken on the care-giving role

Marj was somewhat serious and Joe had been, a happy-go-lucky soul

Joe had been reduced to a totally dependent person, but Marj treated him like a king

She shaved his face, combed his hair and wiped his mouth, did all and everything

She'd help him into his rocking chair and as he'd peer out through the clouded window pane

Marj would cook and read him books and oh, so lovingly say Joe's name

She told me how much she misses him and how, when a tear rolls down his face

She has such a hard time remaining strong and often, has to change her space

'Cause Joe understands all she says, but just barely moves his eyes

Marj told me she weeps at nights, but in front of Joe inside, silently she cries

Joe had been a hard-working, diligent man, but very gentle and also very kind

At times a little tough and his hands were rough, but he loved Marj with all his soul and mind

She said Joe was her best friend and she knew, she was his best friend too

Said she missed; with such rough hands, such a gentle touch, never enough for she, that he could do

She missed the man he used to be and as she showed me, many a photograph

A tear rolled down as she talked of him, his sense of humour and how he always made her laugh

She sighed a lot as we went through the pics and she went on about him so sweet and smart

And that when they were young, she had another beau, But Joe was the one who stole her heart

Well on the weekends the grand kids come and around the house they'll play

At times she feels despondent, for they really don't know him and it's just, “hi grampa they'll say”!

Joe had the biggest heart and loved Marj so much and still together, after all these years

I hugged Marj and as I wiped her cheek, I could feel the sadness in her tears

I've listened to love songs, read love stories and those stories on TV

Nothing compares to Marj's love for Joe, for that is love, that was truly meant to be

Joe and Marj have long since passed, but her passion and love, is emblazened in my mind

And I can only dream of love like Marjs' and only wish that I could find

I think of Marj and I think of Joe, being totally disabled, but utterly aware

Of him being shaved, his mouth being wiped, not able to rock, in his rocking chair

And it's hard to even fathom, a reality so profound

Hopefully when it's time, it's time, 'cause like that, I don't want to hang around