To A Maiden At A Glance Poem by Frank Okoth

I insist not for your attention, that is not my intention
Mine intent is great,
No beauty I've seen Maiden, has surpassed your beauty
You deserve my intention not attention.
My heart is sounding drums; my nose is sweating tension,
try taste, it's salty.

By now you must struggle to endure the strong stench of my sweat,
And you must be wearied with my crippled expression,
But Maiden, I accept all my defects even these less of them;
I accept that mine is a short nose and a blurred vision,
I accept that mine skin is rugged peeled and unpleasant,
I embrace that in standing upright I utilize a stick,
But tell me Lady; tell me what it is your beauty can not heal?

You must want to flee, but not yet stranger, not without me,
Away with me and wash my fear, cleanse my tension,
you'll know my intention,
on my features if you stare you'll fall short of my intention.
I know the odor from my mouth and pattern of its teeth is obnoxious for a smile,
But if your creator let your smile resemble the moon in crescent,
with stars on either side, what's the need for mine?

Just look at me, my heart trembles at your mention.
Your creator is the best artist,
Just look at you,
I swear to put your beauty in poetry!