An important birthday present

Hello there. I hope all is well on your side of the world. It’s been a little while since I’ve said hello to you on this blog. Has life been treating you kindly? Have you seen the small joys that dropped unexpectedly into your lap recently? For me it was a brief conversation between my husband and my son over a video call tonight. For my 50th birthday I’ve asked two things of them. A book of poetry. And a poem from them. Son: Dad, have you been working on your poem?Husband: Not yet. You?Son: I have, but my notebook is filling up with all my abandoned attempts.Husband: It’s hard. I mean, what rhymes with Agnes?… Sadness? Madness?Me: IT DOESN’T HAVE TO RHYME!! I love my husband and son. I love the fact they are attempting something wildly out of their comfort zone because they want to make me happy. The looming task deadline led to a short conversation about the nature of poetry. Something I never thought my scientist in training son and my just the facts ma’am journalist husband would…