Last night we attended a dinner to celebrate the 50th year wedding anniversary of two friends.  Lauretta’s Italian Bakery Restaurant in Mundelein provided the venue for the event.  I cannot remember an evening of conversation, good food, wine and much good will, that was more enjoyable.  Certainly I will remember the extended conversations with friends, the superbly prepared meal and the energy in the room as we all celebrated the 50 years of life together of James and Maria-Viktoria. 

With a full house of diners I decided not to make a public reading of the poem that I selected for the occasion.   The poem is the last offered in James Kavanaugh’s collection entitled, There Are Men Too Gentle To Live Among Wolves.  James and Maria-Viktoria are individuals with capacious souls. 

IN THE CENTER OF YOUR SOUL

There is quiet water
            In the center of your soul,
Where a son or daughter
            Can be taught what no man knows.

There’s a fragrant garden
            In the center of your soul,
Where the weak can harden
            And a narrow mind can grow.

There’s a rolling river
            In the center of your soul,
An eternal giver
            With a rich and endless flow.

There’s a land of muses
            In the center of your soul,
Where the rich are losers
            And the poor are free to go.

So remain with me, then,
            To pursue another goal
And to find your freedom
            In the center of your soul.