I Met A Boy

I met a boy when I was young. Bob Allen was his name
My age was fifteen ... his, two more ... I never was the same.
"Blonde Elvis," as the girls called him, was quite a hit at school.
He seemed to be "the catch" that year .. girls stared (and some would drool).

An introduction made by Shawn, a girl we both knew well,
Made us aware of more we'd share .. head over heels, I fell.
We met again on May 13th, the year was '59.
It was a Sports Day at the school. I vowed to make him mine.

I then became his steady girl, at least for a short while.
He found another girl, then two .. that made it hard to smile.
I dated friends of mine and his, I didn't sit and pine ...
I loved him still and always knew he'd once again be mine.

At last, I saw him face to face and knew the spark was there.
Our dates were others at the time .. love's secret we did share.
When we were sure we loved again, we shouted it with glee.
I loved him as I always had and Bob said he loved me.

We had our ups and downs, of course, as lovers often do.
He dated others in a while and, often, I did too.
He gave me an engagement ring when I was just sixteen.
My mother said it wouldn't last ... my age made her not keen.

I finished school and left the town. I wanted to be sure.
After a mere two months away, I felt love would endure.
We married then in '62, December 8th, it was.
Why we should not be man and wife, no one could show just cause.

Again, we had our ups and downs but years passed one by one.
We had our separations, yes, but our love wasn't done.
In '68, I gained some weight, not from bread or water...
October 30th, the date I had our oldest daughter.

May 7th, 1970, our youngest came along.
It seemed for once in our young lives we both could do no wrong.
But then life seemed to fall apart ... my mind was first to go.
I tried to take my life one day ... just why, I didn't know.

Bob saw me through those roughest times ... he tried his best, but then
That dreaded cancer took his arm ... life cheated him again.
He needed me, and I came through at least for a short while.
But independent Bob stood up and gave his brave, strong smile.

He needed no one, he showed us. I felt so useless now.
I wanted so to help Bob out but couldn't figure how.
My mind again slipped far away ... I couldn't keep it down.
My doctor said I'd have to go ... I must get out of town.

I left my man, my daughters too, and tried to find my life.
I prayed to God I soon could be their mother and his wife.
A year away was what it took to let me see the light.
Then fate stepped in and showed the way so I could make things right.

When I came back, Bob was so sick he hurt from head to toe.
Was it that dreaded illness back? The doctors didn't know.
Eventually, they said it was but, this time, in his spine.
Dear God, I prayed, if life you want, leave his and please take mine.

They tried cobalt to no avail, morphine to kill the pain.
As stubborn as Bob was, I knew he needed me again.
A mother I became at last .. I loved our children so.
The problems that I'd had before were gone ... just where, I didn't know.

I thought now maybe life could be what we'd been looking for ...
To have each other and our girls ... all that and maybe more.
But happiness was not for us ... things once again went wrong.
The doctor said Bob was to die ... our time left wasn't long.

I keep a vigil by his bed, I give him care and love.
He rallied 'round and fooled them all with help from God above.
I sit here now and watch him sleep .. I see his life go by.
The boy I met is now a man. My God, why must he die?

I'll stay with Bob until he's gone unto his God above.
I know he'd never leave this world if life was saved by love.

Jacqueline Allen
December 1973

Dedicated to my late husband, Robert H. Allen
August 1, 1941 - December 30, 1973.

Endless Love