Courtly Love
A vision of beauty, so full of grace,
By her presence alone I forget my woes
And I gaze upon that faery face,
Soft as dew upon a rose
My heart is pounding within my breast
Lo! What is this wonder I behold?
By a gentle touch she can tame the beast
And turn lowly squire to warrior bold.
What is this ache that tears me apart?
Bitter sweet within its grasp
Wouldst she look my way?
I ponder her beauty, her softness, her love
And know that I must stay
A thousand tortured deaths I die
And yet my love will have its fill
The sweetness of that kiss, I dream
The touch of lips ere never will.
She is mine to gaze upon with joy
But ne’er mine to hold
A turn of her head, a gentle nod, a smile?
‘Tis at me? I stand alone, oh, praise the Lord!
What is this searing pain, this passion that crushes my being?
My soul rises blissfully to the Heavens above
Such sweet fulfilment and longing combined
Ah! ‘Tis naught and all but Courtly Love.
By Catherine T Wilson
Lions and Lilies 