The Shoebox

A marriage celebration
for over 60 years
They shared everything
The Smiles and the tears
They'd talk all night
With No secrets but one
The wife had a shoebox
In which her secret was sown

A foolhardy token
The husband conceded
To give his love her wish
This secret was needed
She said it was her secret
to a happy married life
Her husband was to promise
To never look inside

So he never asked about it
and never peeked under the lid
For over 60 years together
The secret would remain hid
One day he will know everything.
But until then it must remain
A secret. He agreed
And never asked again

Never questioning. never curious
He put it out of his mind.
For over 60 years the shoebox
With a red ribbon to bind
Sat on top of the wardrobe
Beckoning in full view
What secret lay inside
He never ever knew

One day the wife became ill
doctors said she wouldn't recover
Fetch me the shoebox she said
It's time for you to discover
for now I'll share the secret
of our blessed 60 years
He went home. Got the shoebox
As he fights back the tears

Still being careful not to look
For this was her secret to share
He got back to the hospital
Handled it with great care
He gave her the shoebox.
And she slowly raised the lid
To reveal inside
The secret kept so well hid

He saw beautifully crafted dolls
Of which there were two
And £95000
'This money is for you'
His mouth wide open
He couldn't find the words
Two beautiful dolls
And a fortune. It's absurd !

She explained that her grandmother
Had a secret that she told
Of a happy marriage
To last and grow old
was never to argue
Never fuss and fight
But to remain calm
And last you just might.

So every time I got angry
with the words that you said
I'd be quiet. Make a doll
Put the anger out of my head
The old man looked on
love swelled up inside
only 2 dolls in the box
Now that can not be denied

But confused he asked.
Now I know about the dolls
but what about the cash
I fear there's more to be told
Oh she said. That.
The money is all mine.
I made it selling the dolls
Two at a time