I was overwhelmed yesterday by your birthday wishes and numerous comments about the Catch and its place in your life. That was truly my greatest gift – your affirmation.
The other remarkable gift I received was a poem from my wife, who does not write poetry as a general rule. I share it here with you as a tribute to that part of the nature of God that we all received and need to cultivate in the desire to give. What good is a beautiful moment if you can’t share it with someone?
A Monarch For You
Outside my afternoon window,
Wings beating like breath
Through the first winds of spring,
A monarch appeared
Touching lightly on the limbs of a peach tree
Black and bright yellow sang out
From the green foliage behind
And I put down my work for awhile
To watch it fly
I thought of the mild joy
Of the day
And the lovely little creature
Soon to die
No longer to be that beautiful,
That light in air
My heart moved with it
And the languid day
Wanting to share it with you
I thought to catch
The thing itself
And present it to you
In a jar
But I knew you
Would only be offended by the cage
Still wanting to give you
The beauty of its flight
Around blooming roses
Through the peach boughs
I thought to draw it
But my hand was not agile enough
To hold its beauty either
I have placed it here on this page
The fleeting beauty soon to die
Caught
For a moment
In my longing to give it to you.
John Fischer The Catch 
A beautiful poem by a beautiful person for a beautiful person on a beautiful day. Who could ask for more!
Beautiful! Touching.
I didn’t get around to responding yesterday, John, but this is a Happy Birthday wish from the late Betty Taylor.
Marti’s poem is lovely–you say she doesn’t write one often–well she obviously saves her talent for something lovely. May the Lord continue to bless you both as you continue to serve him.
“the late Betty Taylor”… well you can’t be THAT late or you wouldn’t be showing up here!
I loved the poem by Marti and the “When I’m 64”. I, too, felt the way you do about the old Beatle song–it doesn’t fit us! I was 64 in Feb. Paul McCartney wrote it and I’m sure, as you said he was much too young when it was written. He will be 69 in June! Thank you for all your Catches!
Go girl!
Uh… John?… I know that you already know this, for you have said so yourself. But, uh… You really married up, brother.
Wow!
Cherish every minute.
So sweet, it made me cry. 🙂
Beautiful! As light and airy as the butterfly; tender as a kiss.