If we were to meet then

 
After so many, many years,
when you become a trembling old man, your whole body shrouded in age, forced to lean on three legs instead of two,
even then, stroking your wrinkled skin, I will say,
'Oh, how wonderful you still remain!'


After so many, many years,
when you can no longer walk straight, when your legs refuse to move, when your hands shake at the slightest lifting,
even then I'll take your hands in mine, kiss only your palms and laugh as I say,
'Oh, still so graceful, my darling weaver bird!'


After so many, many years,
when your words stick in your throat, your eyes grow completely dim, all the hair on your head falls away,
even then I'll place my hand lovingly on your back and say with laughter, again and again,
'Oh, how vigorous still, this old madman of mine, look!'


After so many, many years,
when your teeth can be counted on just two fingers, when you giggle with gaps in your smile, your toothless gums showing between your lips whenever your jaw moves,
even then I'll hold your cheeks, pull them gently and say with tender laughter,
'Oh, still such a fresh, sweet smile, just like before!'


After so many, many years,
when the skin of your chest hangs loose, your whole body sags with belly fat, your entire frame becomes one with bone-flesh-skin-folds,
even then, pressing chest to chest, holding you close, I'll say,
'Oh, still so much warmth, love, tenderness scattered across this chest!'


After so many, many years,
when you're ravaged by a thousand ailments, your temper turns irritable, your broken voice constantly hacking with terrible coughs,
even then I'll kiss those lips of yours in wonder, and my heart will say,
'Oh, how you still cast spells with your melodious, honeyed voice!'