Best Keep Our Vows Poem by Michael P. Johnson

Giving and taking wilful hands
Before God’s throne we bow
To place on fingers golden bands
As symbols of a vow


Yet oft as not the sad report
Suffering great despair
Our wedding vows account to nought
Divorce is in the air


For many reasons some lay claim
Of why they can’t agree
With vicious tongues that feel no shame
They seek to be set free


Where are the smiles of great delight?
The eyes that shone like fire
Where is the love that once burned bright
That kindled such desire


Did God not make for man a wife
Uniting them as one!
That peace and joy be found in life
That love from each be won


The same, when Christ we make our vow
We must remain Him true
If ox and donkey pulling ploughs
An uproar will pursue


Like building houses made of snow
Like gardens void of rain
When seeds of self we only sow
We toil like fools in vain


But branches grafted in a vine
Or dough inside of bread
As Jesus’ bride our names we sign
To be forever wed