Miracle

(for Lincoln and Barbara, Dick and Nancy

and now Bill and Jane

on your fiftieth anniversaries)

by Larry Turner

Someday you will find yourself

in a debate over miracles.

Someone will offer a definition:

A miracle is a violation of natural law.

Do not accept this!

It is intended only to define miracles

out of existence. Worse yet,

it is dishonest: If you point out

a miracle, natural law instantly

changes to fit it. Worse yet,

it excludes miracles like sunrise and childbirth

and less frequent but equally

impressive miracles.

But here is a miracle that fits that

strict definition: Despite derision from

psychologists, sociologists, comparative zoologists,

a young couple stands in the presence of family,

friends, and community

and promises to love each other for a lifetime

in a unique and exclusive way.

This promise is not a miracle.

Some actually do it.

This is.