“Isn’t she / pretty in pink.”
— Richard Butler

Baby, I love you so very much.
And darling, baby, I don’t mean just. 
I mean to ten thousand stars and back again,
And I’ll write this poem like a half-good man.

I’ve done this before and I’ll do it again,
But meeting you, baby, is the biggest win.
The greatest win of my whole strange life.
And someday soon you will be my wife.

Pause. Deep breath, dude. Don’t get all rude.
Spill the beans and spill the tea.
Don’t get all weak in the knees please. 
Baby Litzy, I love you clear to the moon,
And every time I see you, darling, I swoon.

I’ll fall to my knees and beg you please,
Say yes forever and stay with me.
For life, my darling. For all our days.
Forever and ever in every single way. 

And baby I’ll never, ever give you up,
For I am no chump, and I’ve taken my lumps. 

So Litzy, my Babush baby, pause.
Cause baby, just because because.
I’ve written poems since I was eight,
And some were good and some weren’t great.

And that’s the way these things can go.
Sometimes they shine, sometimes they blow.
I wrote for girls who said they were pearls,
Sweet little queens in shiny worlds.

But none were half as sweet as you.
And baby, yes, that much is true.
No candy shop or sugared peach
Could ever come within your reach.

Babush! Lol and OMG.
Baby, darling, can’t you see?
I love you like the bees love honey.
Like Wall Street loves money.

I love you like ships love the sea.
Like tall green forests love the trees.
And baby this may sound absurd,
But I mean every word.

I love you more than words can say,
More than the sunlight loves the day.
More than my father—and yes it’s true.
But more than anything: I love you.

Sweet baby babes, it’s been three weeks.
And still I cannot quit your cheeks.
Your apple cheeks are so soft and sweet.
They totally cannot be beat.

And if you’re sad or feeling blue,
I’ll always make some room for you.
Just rest your little head on me,
And baby all will gravy be.

Cause you’re four-eleven, cute and small,
And I’m six-three and standing tall.
Baby mine, I’m built like trees.
You rise up barely to my knees.

So I shall buy you some small place,
A little home with warmth and grace.
Or maybe some downtown apartment
Where all of our love can rest apace. 

And yes beneath the sheets we’ll creep—
OMG, baby, did I just say sheets?
But sheets, my darling, cannot lose.
They totally and fully rule.

I must have took some love-drunk pill,
And baby I am floating still.
Or maybe swallowed the whole jar.
I know that sounds a little bizarre.

But that’s just how I feel for you,

My Babush baby tried and true.
Don’t yawn, my pet, don’t drift away.
I need your sweetness every day.

I’m crazy for you. Wild it’s true.
And usually I’m mellow, 
But not around you. No no no.
Around you all my feelings do grow.

They rise and swell like ocean tides,
Like moonlit waves at eventide.
They crash and roar upon the shore
And then come rolling back for more.

The angels watch from high above.
The gods too, baby. That is love.
They watch you, me, and all mankind—
The short, the tall, the sweet, and the kind.

And sweetheart yes, you are my heart.
At least the biggest, finest part.
Though room remains there for my son.
And baby I have only one.

He means the whole wide world to me.
Just like you do, my honey bee.

Baby baby, my Litzy Litz honey.

I have some money. And you do too.
But our love runs deeper than money, honey,
And baby I know that much is true.

And maybe that sounds a little funny.
Laugh out loud. Let’s laugh awhile.
Cause baby we are the cool-kid crowd,
And darling we do it all with style.

And I shall buy you a shining ring.
Yes dear, the ring is the thing.
No wait—make that two instead.
One for your hand and one for my head.

Platinum maybe, or jeweled with light,
Like the crown you wear day and night.
Princess mine, yes the ring’s the best.
And baby your beauty outshines the rest.

And I shall worship down at your feet.
And honestly baby, ain’t that neat?
Then I shall stand and carry you slow
Back to our room where the soft lights glow.

And I just said bed—yes that’s true.
That is just what I said to you.
With giant pillows that puff and billow,
Soft as clouds or a little marshmallow.

Or maybe baby it’s a waterbed.
Wouldn’t that rule? Enough said.
We’ll sleep together like little mice,
Warm and tiny and cozy and nice.

And ain’t they cute? Well shoot, they are.
Baby you shine like a lucky star.
Our first date now is drawing near.
OMG baby, it’s almost here.

And we have spent long hours on phones,
So neither of us feels all alone.
Cause baby you always carry me,
As I carry you through stormy seas.

And I don’t know much, but this I know:
My love for you will just grow and grow. 
I’m fifty-two and you are fifty,
And honestly baby, ain’t that nifty?

I don’t want younger girls no more,
Even the pearl-like beauties ashore.
Cause baby I only and fully want you.
Forever and ever. Tried and true.

Bank it sweetheart. Trust what I say.
Everything’s gonna be fine someday.
Pause dude. Baby just chill.
Don’t go and spill your ink at will.

Don’t splash your words all over the page.
That is the path to readerly rage.
Keep it moving. Keep it light.
Keep the rhythm warm and bright.

Cause baby this poem must soon end,
But I shall always your heartstrings mend.
If sadness finds you, I’ll stay nearby.
I’ll hold your hand and I’ll never lie.

For I will never break with you.
My heart stays faithful, tried and true.
As faithful as wind over oceans blue,
And sweet as melons in morning dew.

And I shall take you to heaven and back,

With love and warmth and midnight snacks.
And heaven, darling, must surely be
Somewhere with you right next to me.

So come here close now, baby mine.
Your little hand fits well in mine.
And I shall kiss your mouth so sweet,
And places farther down beneath—

OMG baby, I just said south.
Quick, back again now to your mouth.
Your lips, your nose, your hips, your eyes,
The stars reflected in midnight skies.

And all of you shall belong with me,
As mine belongs completely to thee.
For sure, sweetheart. Forever true.
Litzy Litz baby—I love you.

Dedication:

For my darling Litz. I am so happy that you are in my life baby. I promise to love you forever and a day. I love you.