'If you had married me

We would have a chain of motels

Across the country - and be rich.'

'If you had married me

You would be Dean of a university

A noted poet - and be rich.'

'If you had married me

You would be a great singer

In demand around the world - and be rich.'

The total zilch value of 'If's'!

 

But, because I married Daddy

I have Esther, Cyanne,

Marley, April, Eleanor and Ewan

And I am rich.

For written in the stars were Mummy and Daddy

Esther, Cyanne,

Marley, April, Eleanor and Ewan.

 

And I knew it -

That clear, college morning

When brittle chatter

Made me lean over the railing

And glance into the busy hall below.

A gaggle of girls

Swarmed around a handsome, black chap

Strolling along like a sheik with a harem

And I laughed: 'What silly geese!'

Then I looked closely at the young man himself

Clearly now just below me

A perfect stranger -

And through my whole being

Crashed the trumpet fare:

'That is the father of my children!'

 

Nothing could explain it.

I never even tried.

But thus it came to be -

A destiny

Written in the stars 

With great responsibility.

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas, May, 2018.