Oh I painted him alright,
Young and saucy, my dear knight,
With his cocky Air Force hat
What a handsome Yorkshire lad!

I mixed oils of pink and blue
And some white titanium too
With a tinge of violet
Well spread out on the palette.

Everything was fine and fit
But my darling loathed to sit,
He handed me a photograph
To paint my restless, fidgety love.

Some features gave me trouble, yet
He was so proud, - for his portrait
Would shine on our saloon’s wall
With his bright smile - so genial.

“Accent - he said - the armpit fold,
And for the buttons use some gold”
“As background use a pinkish hue
This goes well with the navy-blue”!.

But now he left me all alone
While I his woolen jacket don,
With me is still my love’s portrait
And his woolen crochet hat.

See my Air Force Cherubim,
No other husband ever,- but him,
Whose portrait ever smiles at me,
My sole true love eternally.

Oh sweet portrait that does shine
Not solely on Valentine,
Beams at me from the blessed shore,
At all times and for ever evermore.

Ah! this portrait knows of love,
And it has love's perfecct proof,-
No other love does stand behind
To fill his spouses' soul and mind.

Angels bright and fair be pleased,
Perfect fine earmarks I had missed
Bring out hidden traits in him,
The features of a Cherubim
A Cherubim that smiles on me.
Without a canvas - blissfully!




In memory of my beloved husband Stephen

© Elizabeth Dandy