Former President Jimmy Carter has long celebrated his deep love for his late wife, Rosalynn, and one of the most poignant tributes to their enduring bond is his 1995 poem, Rosalynn. The poem was featured in Carter’s book Always a Reckoning and offers a timeless reflection on their 77 years of marriage. Married on July 7, 1946, in Plains, Georgia, the Carters are the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.
In the poem, Carter recalls the early days of his relationship with Rosalynn, describing her as a shy young woman whom he slowly fell in love with. “She’d smile, and birds would feel that they no longer had to sing, or it may be I failed to hear their song,” Carter writes. “I’d glow when her diminished voice would clear my muddled thoughts, like lightning flashing in a gloomy sky.” The lines express the profound effect Rosalynn had on him, even in moments of silence and uncertainty.
The poem, first published when Rosalynn was in her late 60s, speaks to the deep emotional connection the couple shared. Carter concludes, “With shyness gone and hair caressed with gray, her smile still makes the birds forget to sing and me to hear their song,” a testament to the love that continued to define their relationship through the years.
Rosalynn Carter passed away at the age of 96 earlier this month in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by her family. As the former First Lady of the United States, she and Jimmy were married for an extraordinary 77 years. They are survived by four children—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In a statement, Jimmy Carter reflected on their lifelong partnership. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” he said. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Their son, Chip Carter, spoke about his mother’s legacy, calling her a “great humanitarian” and praising her “life of service and compassion.” He noted that Rosalynn had greatly impacted mental health care and caregiving resources in the U.S. and would be “sorely missed” by both their family and those she helped.
Despite his own health challenges, the 99-year-old Jimmy Carter attended his wife’s memorial service, along with the rest of the family. During the service, their daughter Amy read a heartfelt love letter Jimmy had written to Rosalynn 75 years ago. In the letter, he expressed the depth of his feelings: “My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I am away, I try to convince myself that you really are not, could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn’t to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow. Jimmy.”
Jimmy Carter’s words and the poem Rosalynn reflect a love that lasted beyond a lifetime, a bond that will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who knew them.
