Anthony W. Pahl

TO ROSA AND DARREN

Rosa and Darren are united on this, their Wedding Day.
Deepest love and friendship for all their lives we pray.
Through good times and the bad, over stormy seas and calm
may the joy of love and friendship act as a soothing balm.
May peace and understanding develop through the years.
May the strength of love and friendship guide them through all fears.
Now join with me and rise as one to toast the husband and wife.
And support them on this day ~ the first of their married life.

Author’s Note: Rosa is my wife’s sister. A call from Italy from Nivia, Rosa’s best friend, woke me at 5:30 am on the morning of Rosa and Darren’s Wedding, the 21st of November 1992. Unable to get back to sleep, I dressed and decided to have a cup of coffee. As I waited for the kettle to boil, I was jotting some thoughts as Nivia and I chatted. The above is the result. As Master of Ceremonies at the Wedding Reception, I proposed the toast to the Bride and Groom with the poem.