VALENTINE'S DAY DEDICATION - DANCING WITH THE ANGELS

Good morning

I dedicate this Valentine's Day to my wonderful parents. 

Dancing brought them together and stayed with them all their earthly lives. I believe that they are dancing together with the angels in heaven.

My first book of poetry is almost ready to be published and the poems which I've included here and in the other valentine posts are in it. 

The following segment is the book's Dedication.

"Inherent in every dedication that I do will be gratitude to my parents who taught my siblings and me to appreciate life in all its varied aspects; to think for ourselves; and to question everything. It is as a result of this upbringing that I do not have any limitations on how I think. I am not bound by ‘boxed-in’ thinking or constructs. My parents were South African champion ballroom dancers and their picture on the cover of this book encapsulates everything about their love for each other.

"This beautiful dedication to my mother by my father not only expresses his love for her but also gives a glimpse into his amazing mind. My father loved poetry and wrote many exquisite pieces, all of which, apart from this one, have, sadly been lost over time and many moves.

"Often, when we think of love, we think of a ‘happily ever after’ life with no issues. Life is not like that. My hope is that this compilation celebrates love in all its myriad aspects, even the difficult ones, and always enriches our lives."

James Maritz and Marjorie Lyon - South African National Ballroom Champions

MY DARLING
(by: James White Maritz)

And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine
A being breathing thoughtful breath
A traveller between life and death
The reason firm, the temperate will
Endurance, foresight, strength and skill
A perfect woman, nobly planned
To warm, to comfort and command
And yet a spirit still and bright
With something of an angel light

What makes my father's love of poetry so much more special is that he was a chemical engineer, traditionally one of the more logical vocations. My father exemplified his life-philosophy of never allowing oneself to be 'boxed in', which he passed on to his children. 

Of course, I have to include one of my own poems for this special day. I chose this poem specifically because the last two words of my father's poem are the title of my poem.

ANGEL LIGHT

Now
How did I know
That you are an Angel?
I have never seen
One of those before
Could it be
That I see
Heaven in you?

Oh
Could it be?
I wonder?
Let us sit a while
Let us speak a while
And I will be
Happy
Content
And
Complete

To
Know you
To know that you
Are in my life
For the time
That we have
Together
Will be my
Heaven on Earth