Be My Friend, Love

for Jack and Linda Hoeschler’s 25th Anniversary
by Emilie Buchwald

When all the world and love is young,
in summer’s easy, leafy day,
then lovers twine their easy vows
beneath the fabled greenwood tree. 

Be my friend, love,
let’s bless each other,
midsummer eve’s a state of mind. 

The vines fall down, the meadows freeze,
so silently, so suddenly,
and love and idleness sink down
beneath the leafless greenwood tree.

Be my friend, love,
let’s bless each other,
midsummer eve’s a state of grace. 

Friends who are lovers live content
despite the seasons’ changeful weather.
Their music has its varied grace.
In time’s long dance, they move together. 

Let is be said, love,
We learned the harmonies,
midsummer eve is in the soul. 

Let is be said
Our music deepened,
We were each other’s state of grace. 

Let it be said—
we blessed each other….