I betray'd a fragile solace in my longing for thy love.
Tho' devotion in thee's dawning by the touch of Lord above.

Hear the Angels to thee speaking; listen closely to their song,
As our passions sing superior to songs of ages gone.

Listen to the sparrow singing; lingering on the sweetest note.
Listen to my soul beseeching; pledging love in poems wrote.

A gentle rustle and a ripple washes from the sea ashore.
And I watch in sullen silence as I often have before.

In a wild, foolish wonder I would tell thee how I feel.
All the love within me spoken, while before thee I would kneel.

But just as lips are parting to, in broken silence, speak,
A babbl'd blurting issues forth, yet not the words I seek.

My love then still remains a secret by the donning of a mask.
All the soul within me burning, begging to complete my task.

Slumbering still, I'll pray thy love awakens at my sight,
As the dawning of the morning, when the darkness fades to light.

See the world around thee blossom; for our love's ordain'd to be.
Open up thy eyes, belov'd; open up thy eyes and see!

Dost thou love me now, my darling? Would'st thou ever love me true?
Shall my love, in lonely labour, ever more than look at you?

Yet until thy answer's clear, I'll be pleas'd to stand a'nigh.
Staring at thy buttress'd heart and longing for thy open'd eye.

   -Tom Caudron
   -Inspired by my wife, Denise, on the occasion of our first summer friendship