I tied the sheets around the bedpost,
dropped out the window out of sight,
followed you down to the River Styx
with the water dark as night.
I leapt. You bet.
I swam against the current
bumped against all those lost souls
but I was going to find you, and I did.
I tossed a coin to the boatman as he poled along his way, I crawled into the boat
and I did say,
I told you
and I told you
and I told you.
I don’t care how black your night is
I don’t care how deep the pit
I will follow you and pull you back for air.
I will follow through the darkness
I will swim the River Styx
I will do it because that’s what marriage is.
It’s sticking when your hearts in little bits.
Kharon shrugs his shoulders, pulls us up to the next dock
He doesn’t care if we should choose to walk.
I wrap my arms around you and I drag you to the light,
because you’re too precious not to fight with all my might.
If I must be the strength then so be it,
let’s do what we can to make you fit,
I promised I’d be there for better or for worst
and Baby, I’m not driving with that hearse!
In sickness and in health, In poverty and wealth
I told you
and I told you
and I told you.
I don’t care how black your night is
I don’t care how deep the pit
I will follow you and pull you back for air.
I will follow through the darkness
I will swim the River Styx
I will do it because that’s what marriage is.
It’s sticking when your heart’s in little bits.
And I’m sticking so let’s hear no more of this.
I’m strong this time, and you’ll be fine
We all suffer those hits.
I’m strong this time, and you’ll be fine
in time.
In time.
In time.
In time, Baby you’ll be fine.
.
.
.
.
I had no idea what that was when the first lines came, but apparently it’s the lyrics to a country song about dealing with a spouse with depression. Who knew!
Shawn L. Bird 
I love it when they seem to come out of nowhere. Very nice.
It’s the best part of the creative process, isn’t it? Those little gifts that come as a blessing from beyond. 🙂
Your Muse has earned a nice holiday bonus This year. Gritty and strong, visceral even. You keep upping your game.
Hmm. I wonder where my Muse would like to take me for Xmas vacation in celebration of these efforts? 😉
My Muse and I vacation separately. We’ve found it strengthens the relationship.
🙂 I find the opposite.
We do daily life separately, so it’s great to vacation together. 🙂
Now he knows, if he didn’t already. may you both enjoy nothing but good health, for years to come.
It’s funny where poems come from. There haven’t been any suicidally depressed folks around me lately, nor any on TV, nor in any books I’ve read recently, so where this came from, I have no idea. When I started writing it, I had the sheets and the River Styx lines. These poems just do their own thing!
😢
How very fortunate to have such a spouse to lift one out of the dreadful depression monster. Time and time again….great work, Shawn.
True.
Not all poems are about a real situation though, sometimes they’re written in persona, from the perspective of someone or something different from the poets.
This was so beautiful. I’m torn between crying and the biggest smile I can make.
Thank you.
That’s a lovely compliment.
Wow! Again I say, wow! This poem is exactly how I feel about marriage. Thanks, Shawn.
Thanks. I’m glad this one connected with you.