Disclaimer –

Derek's work has been registered at the U.S. Library of Congress, so it would be a terrible financial idea to plagiarize or use any of the material found on this website for your own purposes. Nevertheless, enjoy the writing!

Marriage

(1995)

A newly married bride,
Hushed by her husband’s side
Was willing to abide.

He’d flirt behind her back.
His love train went off track;
A noticeable lack.

She granted each request,
And though she was the best,
Her love, he sought to test.

With her upon his knees,
He asked her if she’d please
Sail solely overseas.

“Refrain from ‘dultury.
Be pure and chaste for me.
I’ll do the same”, quoth he.

Whilst in another land,
Faithful she would stand,
Obeying his command.

Her faithfulness was strong
But of his affairs wrong,
She knew naught all along.

His love for her did pall
When she had gone to Gaul.
He turned to alcohol.

His wife, the pious one,
Abstained from having fun,
And lived from thence a nun.

With lover on his left,
He did not feel bereft
That his marriage was cleft.

But fasting took its toll
On the woman who’s goal
Was to keep clean her soul.


Her face grew very grim,
And though she had no whim,
She grew severely slim.

He was oblivious
To her pure loneliness.
It was her he did miss.

She died after a year
Still filled with hopeful cheer,
Though he was nowhere near.

He realized his need
For her did supersede
His guilt for his cruel deed.

With longing like a knife,
He wrote and told his wife,
“I love you more than life”.

The note in which he raved
Did not go where he craved.
Words don’t go to the grave.

He heard news he did hate,
His love did not abate
Despite his poor wife’s fate.

The man can only mourn
And live his life forlorn.
His heart was truly torn.

And so, the man, in vain,
Desired to hide his pain;
But joy is hard to feign.