We married though they thought us very young,
so young we had to firmly make a point,
the point was better made if not by tongue,
for often tongues are known to disappoint.
They disappointed us by lack of trust,
the trust a parent gives a grown-up child;
a child will soon leave home, indeed we must,
and they must just as soon be reconciled.
So reconciled we were to married life,
the life of sharing breakfast, bed and mind,
the mind of husband like the mind of wife,
both wife and man determined to be kind.
Our kindness simply living as we ought,
as ought each one in dignity be carried;
we carried through each day the motive thought,
they thought us very young when we were married.
Author notes
A wreath is a circular poem with repetitions. See this example
A Wreath by George Herbert
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/8363-George-Herbert-A-Wreath
Herbert has rounded back to the same rhymes in reverse order, which I overlooked before I began my poem.
This form is not reported in any of my usual references. However, Herbert was a great innovator, the only form he used often is the sonnet.
I married my sweetie in 1980, when we were 23 and 21.
Written January 19th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Through the Years by JM Kenyon.
300 points, ended November 8, 2006, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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Ah I see, I was thinking of each line having to follow the next, thus the rhyme would be circular (both beginning and ending.) Boy, that last comment of mine sucked...and this one isn't much better.
Far too complex for me...got anything I can write in one line or less?
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Beautiful, Beautiful, and moreso...
I found your rhyming wreath and it is such a Love poem from the heart and soul of you, it is wondrous, a tribute to your lives together and this form, in rhyme as well works so well here, so well and I see it is a winner, Congratulations on that, on this piece and on your sweetie and you with best wishes to both of you for many, many more years together!
Ah, you!
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Thank you Micha! We are blessed in one another and our children, that is a fact.
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Oh this is so beautiful, I am in awe of your poem. The theme is so romantic, you sigh with happiness as you read it. And the form is so lovely, you have done an excellent job with it! Just wonderful!
Susie
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Thanks!
Hi Susie, thank you for reading, and I appreciate your applause. I haven't written another wreath since, but I like the way this one works. Looking back on twenty five years of my life when I wrote this, I would not change anything. Opposition can fuel determination. 
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Thank you ea.
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Thank you for bronze and points in your contest!
Happy anniversary, and may you have many more.
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I like this Margaret... congrats on a winning write!
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Now, this one fits us pretty well. We were married so young, that it seems like we have always known each other. Something more than Love, Expectation, Children and Dedication keeps us together... I daresay, Time itself plays a huge part in it all... Great write. s and best wishes... ~Genie~
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Applause forthcoming!
Margaret, this poem intrigues me as it is a form of verse that is quite unique... hmm. a wreath! At first, I thought I was reading a sonnet. Your choice of rhyming in this piece is excellent and meter impeccable. The message is timely and delivered superbly! -
I wondered.
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Sick of my poor typing. "I would NOT have been ready..."
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I now see what you mean by courage. I would have have been ready at 17, or 20...or 47...Did you hear that? I thought I heard someone say, "Hm." Must be my imagination.
Ditto to what all the above smarty pants said.
Wow, this sucker looks confusing, with that dang word repeating thingie. But it made for a very entertaining poem to read.
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Dear Sau, that is funny! First, you will find a lovely girl soon, and second, I hand out advice all the time.
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Thank you very much LP! I see your choice and your sister's as equally good. I did finish my education before marriage, and recommend that course because I know it. However, marriage is not a barrier, it is just a change. Success or failure depends on the people involved. Thanks for applause too!
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You never fail to amaze us with your artistic work! The rhythm and and pattern in this poem are elegant. Marraige is something far from me for now, and your story-poem is inspiring... let me know if you start some kind of marraige or personal consultancy ever!
Regards
Sau. -
Very well written, and I love the theme. My sister is seventeen and is soon to be married, I am 18 and by choice want to wait until after college. Her marriage, however, fits in fine with the dreams she has for life. She, thankfully, has the support of our parents but so many look on that automatically as a mistake to get married young. It is nice to see there are others who agree it can work. Wonderful piece, I like the form and the way the title of the poem kind of works both for the form and a title in itself. God bless, and keep writing!
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Thank you Karen. It was just before Christmas.
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Enduring words
Love always comes full circle, heartwarming and inclusive. Marriages like this bless everyone, not only husband and wife, but those around them as well. Somehow, it finds a way, doesn't it? Margaret, the soft flow of your words feels like music in this, melodies of mind and spirit flowing through the heart. I though this was a sonnet at first. Whenever you anniversary is, many happy returns.
Karen -
More naive than courageous, but in my situation it ended up best for me.
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Thank you Mary. I thought you would find this form interesting.
It makes a huge difference in a marriage to literally grow up together. We were committed and decided, but our parents were correct that we had some growing up yet to do. I would not stop a 20 year old, but nearly 17 - you were very courageous.
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Thank you Gen. Intention is very important, and so is patient effort.
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What a challenging form, but you have made it appear easy. The theme is one that is dear to me. I married a week before I turned 17 against incredible odds and my marriage lasted 11 years until my husband's death. If I had listened to those who rallied against us I would have missed out on precious years with him that were far too few as it was. (I certainly would not want such a young marriage for my own children though, but I lived a very different life than they have.)
The repetitions are blended so smoothly that I did not pick up on them right away. Wonderful and very much enjoyed. This form intrigues me and I may have to give it a try.
Edited on Jan 20, 7:50 because ''. -
Sheesh! I'm wondering if there's any form poetry you couldn't do brilliantly, Margaret!
This is a wonderful poem.. of the formula for lasting love and commitment. Lovely!
~Gen
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Thanks and blessings to you Passions. Love is a great motivator, certainly you and your fiance will find ways to support yourselves as adults. Parents are not always wrong, but they may underestimate your determination.
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Excellent
This poem makes alot of since. All though i am 20 now i got engaged at 19, alot of people were agianst that but when you know you truly love someone, and you know your meant to be with them, nothing can break that. I'm just really interested with what my family and his are going to think when we prove them wrong. HeeHeeHee(Snort)heehee oops. that slipped. This poem gives GREAT motivation to young people who are engaged and has found that right someone. Love This!! Keep up the Great Work!! God Bless -
Thank you DancingwAngels. Best of luck to you! We were 21 and 23 and I had just got my first real job. I think the motivation of showing our parents we could make it work was instrumental. We have just celebrated our 25th anniversary.
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Well written! I am always interested in reading poems that have forms I am not familiar with. This is an encouragment and insperation to me not only because it is beautifuly written but because I am engaged to be married this summer (we will both be 19) and this is a reflection of our situation. I am going to bookmark this and read more of your work when I have time. Keep it up!
~Amara
ps. I wrote my own poem on this a little bit ago "engaged at 18"...just a note, not fishing for comments
Edited on Jan 19, 9:33 p.m. because ''.
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