He cast his heart into the sea <br />and said, 'If you want my love, <br />you must fish for my heart.' <br />And I replied, 'I shall sacrifice <br />my breath in those waters <br />for your heart.' <br /> <br />He cast his faith into bushels of thorns <br />and said, 'If you want my trust, <br />you must suffer for it.' <br />I replied, 'I shall endure <br />the prick of thorns <br />for your trust.' <br /> <br />He threw his fidelity <br />into a circle filled with nude men <br />and said, 'If you want my devotion, <br />stand among them and let me monitor your eyes.' <br />And I replied, 'I shall stand in their presence, <br />but my eyes will hunger only for your nakedness <br />and they will only be fixed upon thee.' <br /> <br />He threw his health <br />into a pit of filth <br />and said, 'If you want to care for me, <br />clear away all that intends to harm my body.' <br />I replied, 'I shall endure sickness for your health, <br />pain for your pleasure, and filth for your spotless face.'<br /><br />Melissa Hurst<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fidelis-vernula/
