To a Secret Love

In my heart I've always loved you Always thought you good and kind Though I know you do not know me Know you're always on my mind Nights of darkness pass unbroken By your smile and gentle ways How I wish that you were present Here beside me all my days Light or darkness, rain or shadow Thoughts of you are light to me Now I pray that as you read this Thoughts of me would kindly be I would be your slave forever Just to bring a smile or two Have you walking life beside me All your blest commands to do How I hope that you will greet me Pray you'll see my desp'rate case Should you not, my heart would founder Longing for your smiling face About this poem: It is trochaic, meaning that it starts with a stressed syllable and alternates between a stressed and unstressed the whole way through. The syllable count is 8.7.8.7. Although I wrote this from the viewpoint of a man, it could be read either way.