your beautiful locks of black hair
dark and brilliant in moonlight
your whimsical, playful gestures
your smiles, your laughter,
the warmth of your hand, all your being
take me to new pastures

and my love for you
stronger with each waking hour
more powerful with each trip to sleep
it is more than this trite combination
of letters and permutations of prose
can ever contain, capture, nor keep

I hold my head up high
among the best, in all arenas
in all capacities that can be known
but with you my strength fades
my wit is compromised, for within
your gaze, all my weakness is shown

you ask of me simple tasks
you ask of black and white
your questions I do not evade
yet my answers seem so shallow
my honesty, my trust, my integrity
my commitment -- reduced, to charade

but that image is not correct, its residue unfair,
I declare without reservation, or sense of self-preservation
I'll fight the damned confusion, this source of angst shall rust
I'll fight for your love, you'll know in your heart that mine is strong
my integrity unmatched, my honesty and commitment the same
I'll prove, beyond doubt, there's no warrant for distrust

yet I still push onward, with all my will
I open myself to you completely
I bare my soul to your intuition, to equate
your judgment I eagerly desire, I am with you,
my love, with the same resonance, as the
six-leafed clover rests, intertwined, beside the one with eight

to test the furies
to challenge due course
is not beyond reasoned quell
for within your arms it's clear
that heaven's bliss shines upon me
without you, clearly, hell

yes, my love, mine is for you
for you alone, for all my days to come
and I'll risk the repetition
for you alone is my love held so dear,
my love for you is "absolute!"
and it knows no competition

neither fear, nor lust,
nor infatuation, nor comfort
nor need of any sort, are my guide
it is my heart that speaks out loud
calming the brain, teasing the loin
within my arms, your true desires hide

I'll stay with you, to enjoy life's struggle
rich or poor, through health and pain
through sadness, and its dear friend laughter
I'll be at your side, your strong defender
your sanctuary, for all our days together
now, tomorrow, and ever-after

and although those be just words,
more permutations to ponder
another combination to check and test
please know that however extreme
and quite difficult for me to find them
I'll continue on, without rest

so just hold me in your arms
I pray, with every thought
let me breathe in your dark locks of hair
allow me to show you all that I am
allow me to love you, to protect you
to honor you, to keep you from despair


I am yours, and yours alone
of that I solemnly swear,
I give you my whole commitment
my guarantee! damn it!
my whole being, all that I am
I swear here, now, in this very moment:

to you

and only you

I give my love


forever