The Other Poems
I Loved Thee Once

I loved thee once, yet it was not to be,
and to another's lips thy lips are pressed.
Another man, thy husband, hath been blessed.
I wished to see thee wed, yet wed to me,
yet such a vision thou didst never see.

I love thee yet, yet I cannot love thee,
for though I love, yet is my love distressed
and never beyond friendship is confessed,
and though I want thy love, thy love is he,
and save his death, thy love cannot be free.

I love thee not, yet I shall still love thee,
yet not with love my heart and soul once stressed,
for friendship, marriage vows, and love transgressed
would leave me naught except adultery,
and that within my heart and without thee.

I love thee now, yet now my love is free,
for God hath cleansed what sin and death oppressed.
That other love another hath addressed,
and when I marry her, I wish to see
thee there, my friend, and thy true love with thee.
~ by Michael Rew / Email: witness@psonnets.org

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