Poems (Barker)/To my Dear Husband

by Alice J. Green Barker

To My Dear Husband.

ON OUR FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
———
Five years ago when the earth was glad,
 With the joyous cadence of Christmas chimes,
And even the angels seemed to bless
 That gladdest to us, of all glad times,
We stood at the altar, husband dear,
 And vowed to be loving, leal, and true,
But a world untried before us lay,
 You were all to me, I was all to you.

Five years have flitted on golden wings,
 No sorrow to-night at our fireside dwells,
But a world of happiness, pure and sweet,
 Was ushered in by those Christmas bells;
And a fancy bright has come to me,
 That each year is a link, In the chain of gold,
That unites our lives and binds our hearts,
 And makes us dearer, a hundred fold.

Each year had its trials to meet and bear,
 Each year its portion of cloud and rain,
But we always welcomed the sunshine more,
 When we felt the warmth of its rays again;
And God has blest us with wealth untold,
 With mines of treasures both rich and rare—
Our jewels sparkle in baby's eyes,
 And the sunshine plays in our boy's bright hair.

Then we have the love of three little hearts,
 That know not the meaning of sin or crime;
Why darling, how very rich we have grown!
 Since me made our vows in the Christmas time.
Five years ago, and you told me then
 "You would make my life all fair and bright."
There's no discord dear, in the music sweet,
 That the bells are breathing to us to-night.