TO MY LOVE, WHO IS DEAD

[Some years ago, I lost my beloved
husband, who was the centre of my
life and my closest friend for
forty-five years. For anyone here
who has lost their life's companion,
and for me, please share these
thoughts]:

What would you have me do, my love,
Now I do not hear your voice?
I know what you'd have me do, my love,
From the life of our happy choice.
You would not have me grieve, my love,
Till my heart should break in two:
You would have me soothe my heart, my love,
With the living love we knew.
You would have me salve my hurt, my love,
As through gentle memory's ways
You would have me walk with you, my love,
As we did in our sharing days.
Your wish has always been mine, my love,
And secure in this dear belief,
I will do as you'd have me do, my love,
With the love that will outlive grief.
For the change is but small, in truth, my love,
Where you are, there is my heart.
If we hold that thought, we two, my love,
Then never we'll be apart.
Thus my life till the time we shall meet, my love,
Long or short though that time may be:
This I will do for you, my love,
For this you would do for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~