“What’s it going it be like… to be with someone for ten years?” I mused over this thought while my professor delved into the tiny poem glaring up at us from our textbook pages. I’m only 19 here; I’m nowhere close to experiencing a decade-long relationship.
Yet, as the class dissected the poem’s essence, the message made sense. Sure, you burnt my mouth because you were so sweet, and now you’re like a comforting piece of bread. I get it. Right?
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The Meaning of “Decade”
Today, October 2 marks a decade with my husband. What I didn’t know back then in that classroom was just how much I would come to understand this poem. In three short years’ time, I would stumble my way into the right moment, into the right time to meet him.
Ten years ago my relationship was still in its infancy. Everything was novel, every glance a reason for my heart to skip a beat. And oh how it skipped a beat so very often. Every look, every touch, every thoughtful gesture. Like the way he would show up to every single date with a bouquet of flowers in hand.
“When you came, you were like red wine and honey,
Decade by Amy Lowell
And the taste of you burnt my mouth with its sweetness.”
Those early days are intoxicatingly sweet, each moment a whirlwind of emotions, akin to the allure of a rich red wine. But, just like any fine wine, relationships evolve. The effervescence of the initial days matures into a calm and deep bond.
“Now you are like morning bread,
Decade by Amy Lowell
Smooth and pleasant.”
The electrifying excitement at the beginning of a relationship morphs into a comforting stability, just like that morning bread – reliable, wholesome, and nourishing. No, the electrifying excitement isn’t gone; it’s simply transformed. There’s immense beauty in waking up every day knowing that I have him by my side, consistent as the morning sun (and just as warm).
In its essence, “Decade” is a celebration, a toast to love’s journey, and the joy of reaching such a significant milestone. Lowell’s words are a testament to the timeless beauty of enduring love.
“I hardly taste you at all for I know your savour,
Decade by Amy Lowell
But I am completely nourished.”
It’s in the silent moments, the shared laughter, the knowing looks. It’s a love that’s satiating and soul-nourishing. The sweet intensity of the beginning is beautiful, no doubt. But there’s something equally magical about finding joy in the familiar, finding nourishment in the routine, and understanding that love, like fine wine, only gets better with time.
Happy Anniversary, love.
