L'anniversairre!

As of tomorrow I will have been married to the lovely Angela for eleven years, and so I have composed a poem

Upon Entering the Twelfth Year of Our Marriage

These years, eleven in all,
Baptized in tears,
Tried as by fire,
Haunted by "headstrong violence",
Arrayed in forgiveness,
Confirmed in strength,
Guarded by grace,
Sustained by sacrifice,
Preserved in patience,
Lit by laughter,
Warmed by gentleness,
Accompanied by peace,
Followed by "goodness and mercy"
Hallowed by love,
Are more precious to me than
Gemstones set in finest gold.
Therefore, I have "no need of spoil";
I have you.