Love! O, Love—thine desire to be,
Such as the craving of life,
Is amplified by her, in me,
And that she should be mine wife
My ev’ry dream might come true.
Should she answer my inquiry,
As “Yes.”—that would do.
Then would I take her
Full in mine heart—
Like limitless dew
That be-sets morning yard.
But, unlike the dew, would flow,
Even more than the River,
And mine eyes would surely show.
And my mind—it would know.
And mine heart—it would grow.
But would shatter, would break,
Should the answer be “No.”
Desperation has drawn me,
far to the task.
It was no simple feat,
Gath’ring courage to ask.
As I wait for either,
Affirmation, or decline,
My eyes wander round,
And my gaze intertwines,
With hers—her’s that might meet none brighter,
A beam that out-shines the sun, ablaze as an eternal fire.
Tho’ not fire that scorches,
Her demeanor’s too pleasant,
More the warmth that a hearth has—
And lingers there for a second.
There! In those eyes, those twinkling stars,
Says she nothing, yet speaks.
Love, will be ours!
Now, with rose on her cheeks,
Her outstretched hand, soft and lovely, I kiss,
I’ll no longer be me—remember this:
No bond is stronger.
No hearts more in tune.
No faith bolder.
No hearts sharing more moons.
No power greater,
Than the whole life we’ll share.
Love! O, Love—Will you lead us there?
A Poet’s Qualm 