Far Too Many Times [2] Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Christina Rossetti)

in great love I gave my heart to you
and the next thing that you did do
was to find it and me unworthy
while to you throughout I was true

(oh my dear, oh my dear)

and yet in your eyes I was weak,
even my verses and way that I do speak
and with indifferent eyes you looked at me
while integrity and your love I did seek,

(oh my dear, in my returned heart was fear)

that you do not really me understand,
that powerless I do constantly before you stand
and I wondered what you do want me to be
while my life, my character you scanned

(just the low pitch, not my words you did hear)

and too many a time you broke my heart,
even told me to leave that you do want to part
as if continually you wanted to be from me free
and I did set myself on my poetry, on my kind of art,

(and I wondered if I did get your message clear)

but then I took my heart to my Lord God to scan
to measure me in my integrity and as and as a man
and all my possibilities he did see
even gave me to my words a design and a great plan

(oh my God, oh my Lord you are constantly near)

while in some poems of your love and power I do sing
and with your help I can do almost anything
(even in my iniquity you do find me worthy)
and all that I am and the little that I have I do bring.

[Reference: "Twice" by Christina Rossetti.]

© Gert Strydom