Poem of the Day: “I Knew” by JE Deegan

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “I Knew” by JE Deegan.  Deegan holds a BA in English from Colgate University and has taught Language Arts in public and private schools for twenty years. He has also worked as a journalist and as a communications specialist in advertising and public relations.

Deegan has had over fifty articles on a variety of subjects published in trade journal magazines. He also has a published volume of poetry, The Moments In Between, and has had short stories published on Internet sites and in a number of small-press magazines. A collection of short stories entitled Limboland was published in 2006 by Fine Tooth Press and is available on the Internet.  He also has a published collection of children’s stories entitled When I Was a Little Guy.

Deegan and resides in Spring, Texas with his wife.  They have three children and six grandchildren.

I Knew

JE Deegan

You were dressed in blue that day,

Your hair a lovely amber tide

Spilling in waves

Upon your shoulders.

                And I knew.

You were smiling softly,

Eyes bright and dancing,

Your face a shining beacon

To all who passed your way.

                And I knew.

I watched from the shadows,

Well beyond your notice

And fully aware

Of my privileged place.

                And I knew.

Enthralled, my heart swelling,

I could but stare at you

And humbly thank God

That you had finally come.

                And I knew.

Though we had yet to meet

That I would spend

The rest of my life

Loving you.

                Yes I knew.

Poet's Notes:  Every year since 1984 I have written poems for my wife on seven special days: Valentine's Day; Easter; Mother's Day; our wedding anniversary; her birthday; Thanksgiving; and Christmas. “I Knew” is her birthday poem from 1985.  It expresses how I felt the first time I saw her. It's a true-story poem. Yes, I knew.