There are so many ways to express and receive love - that is what is so truly wonderful about it. This touching poem, Peelings by Irish writer and poet Seamus O'Rourke celebrates the importance of acts of service in a relationship. This love language sees people doing activities that will make life easier for their other halves without being asked. Peelings tells the story of a hardworking couple and the sweet way a husband always tries to make his wife's day that bit easier. Told from the perspective of their child, it shows how a small, and seemingly insignificant, gesture can send a large, loud and crystal-clear message about the true meaning of love. This piece will no doubt be a ceremony crowd-pleaser because we all know what it feels like to be caught off guard by a touching act from a spouse or loved one that makes us feel so utterly loved.

Peelings by Seamus O'Rourke

He asked me what love is, to put it into words,
So I went back to where I learnt it.
My father and mother at the dinner table,
On a summer's evening.

She was working in a clock factory, he was busy on the farm,
And she would be going back to do overtime.
And to save time he'd peel her two potatoes,
And leave them to one side.

This huge man with fumbling hands,
Exposing his love with knife and thumb.
And those of us who sat looking on,
Felt the strength of their bond.

We never saw them kiss or whisper or embrace,
We never saw them holding hands.
But every now and then he’d peel two potatoes,
And leave them to one side.

And she knew that they were hers,
And somewhere inside she smiled.

Still looking for the perfect wedding ceremony reading? See our Essential List of Ceremony Readings broken down into handy categories. Be sure follow us on Instagram for more!