There’s an old joke that asks “How do you get a sweet little 70-year old lady to say the ‘F’ word?” The punch line? Say the word “Bingo”. I was reminded of this joke during a recent conversation with an acquaintance, when her single syllable outburst summed up a history of defeat and irritation. This time though, the offending word was love and no one was laughing.
For the most part we batted dating horror stories back and forth so she would have a chance to vent. Ultimately, she acknowledged that it all comes down to meeting the right person at the right time. I had no arguments there, I mean really, where’s the comfort in meeting your soul-mate two weeks after they got married to someone else? Not a whole lot there to console her with, so I remained quiet. Timing factors in with trying to offer optimism as well.
Like many of us, she turned to song to ease the blow, and I turned to song myself. Below is the result. Dear Anonymous is for those whose hope in finding love is embattled, but enduring. After all, what good is it to find your soul-mate after one or both of you stopped believing in it?
“Dear Anonymous” (Preview)
(All performances by Chris Wesley)
I hope these words haven’t come too late
That you haven’t resolved to let come what may
That the world still holds a little wonder or two
And you have faith a good man will come through
Because I’m on my way even now as you listen
To my voice via distant transmission
Intentions? Entrenched in
The belief that true love exists in
A world where unrest is allotted like alms
Siren songs are accepted as psalms
Where we nest in the flesh, holding like breath
And bed with our stress until we breed death
But I’ll make my way through the brambles and thorns
March, though the sun beats the sweat from my pores
Mirages appear and hint of your shores
And the life I believe we have yet to explore
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise cameras and crowds
Or a life that’s lived in the clouds
But you’ll find my love forgiving and faithful
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise tiaras and gowns
But you’ll be the queen to my crown
And when things get hard, I will not forsake you
I know I might seem a little naïve
Or perhaps it’s a ploy, me expressing these things
I admit sometimes it looks those ways
Eyes can deceive when we’re walking by faith
with the heat of seduction impeding our thoughts
until we yield to temptation at the cost of our hearts
Distorting the way we view ourselves
Till we no longer care for our relationship’s health
But times like these demand we look hard
Past the words used to hurt and the deeds that left scars
So we can wrest our best from spirit and flesh
Till sketch begets steps begets summit we crest
Though we may not know the day that we meet
The expanse of the journey we have yet to complete
One day I’ll finally know your name
And you’ll recognize the man from whence this all came
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise cameras and crowds
Or a life that’s lived in the clouds
But you’ll find my love forgiving and faithful
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise tiaras and gowns
But you’ll be the queen to my crown
And when things get hard, I will not forsake you
I won’t accept that love’s beyond reached
Or that we somehow deserve to have our trust breached
So I send this knowing somehow you’ll hear
and hope you can feel my presence draw near
Though in a way this message begins our ever-after
And I’ve put in work to be worthy of the chapter
Where we both dare and I get my chance
To have this dance
With you…
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise cameras and crowds
Or a life that’s lived in the clouds
But you’ll find my love forgiving and faithful
Dear Anonymous to me now
Can’t promise tiaras and gowns
But you’ll be the queen to my crown
And when things get hard, I will not forsake you


