To Isolde, a Gift - If Only You'll Be Mine

You asked me for a dance one night, ’twas late one New Year’s Eve,
and as I held you in my arms, your shape did wend and weave;
a sudden kiss as midnight struck (I thought it make believe) -
for stars and kismet ruled with zeal our lives would interleave.

I give to you the morning sun to dance within your smile
a flower wild amongst the stones upon a rocky isle
with hidden paths in ancient woods where we can walk awhile.

You lead me by the hand through nights into the waking days,
through swinging gates in mirrored walls and through the midnight haze,
through castles built in sandbox realms in children’s yesterdays.

I give to you a ragged doll, a puppet on a string,
a ride upon a rocking horse, a swallow on the wing,
a ribbon trailing from your hair, a red or scarlet thing.

You whisk me from a valley deep wherein a black wind blows,
and tracks upon the empty trails are hidden by the snows,
to share with me your secret thoughts and steal away my woes.

I give to you a silver flute, a whistle on a chain,
a drummer boy with dancing feet, a sugar candy cane,
a window flushed with foolish tears mid pitter-patter rain.

You lead me from entangled streets inside a circus town,
subduing smoky memories that haunt this wistful clown
by quelling plaintive melodies and sorrows that they sound.

I give to you a penny plain to cast upon a dream,
a streaking star inside the sky, a bridge across a stream,
a teddy bear with tattered ears and berries dipped in cream.

You show me how a rainbow lightens distant liquid lands,
where dew drops paint the purple leaves deserted on the sands
on roads of simple wonderment within your slender hands.

I give to you in winter’s chill my ragged scarf of thread,
a dripping ball of candle wax on fire blazing red,
and offer you this smitten rhymer’s loving arms in bed.

You spin me tales of laughter, yes, of laughter on a spree,
of laughter restless in the sky, of laughter running free,
of laughter dancing, skipping wildly far beyond the sea.

I give to you these careless words, arrayed in broken lines,
adorned, my love, with tempest winds and teardrop salty brine,
in cups of youthful passion steeped in desolation wine,
and promise I’m forever yours...  if only you’ll be mine.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Krampe Avatar
January 5, 2017 at 8:10 PM
Lovely poem - the first line already is so beautiful. I like your rhyme scheme. Congrats on your win, Terry.
A  Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 12:38 PM
TERRY, wonderful win. **SKAT**
Y. Avatar
December 15, 2015 at 2:23 PM
Terry, Thanks for participating in my contest. Congrats on your 1st place win! :-) Alexis
Hamilton Avatar
April 23, 2015 at 3:01 AM
hi Terry great poem congrats on being featured hugs 7
Murray Avatar
October 28, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Terry I do declare you must be one of the finest poets I've had the pleasure of reading. Your poetry always tell such a wonderful story and flow so smoothly. I'm envious of your God given talent
May Avatar
October 7, 2012 at 12:09 PM
nicely penned....love the first line...mystery solved...thanks for stopping by Terry...hugs...Joseph
Scott Avatar
September 18, 2012 at 12:41 PM
COOL I ACTUALLY WROTE ONE CALLED SUBLIME ONE OF THE FIRST I PUT ON HERE AND ALSO A MONTH A MONTH AGO WROTE BE MINE AS I NOTICED EVERYONE WRITING VALENTINES POEMS LOVE POEMS I LIKE TO WRITE A LOT AGAIN COOL LINES VERY POETIC DAVIDSCOTT
Wesley Avatar
August 19, 2012 at 12:44 AM
Enchanting!
Allen Avatar
August 4, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Warm and beautifully written in depth enough to pull at ones emotions and make one sigh. Huggs TLee
Loethen Avatar
July 18, 2012 at 8:23 PM
Oh wow how amazing this is; I quite enjoyed. Superawesometalent And I love the Isodle and Tristan story already but now I want to read it again ;)
Dietrich Avatar
July 16, 2012 at 9:14 PM
oh my gosh, Terry, this is like a masterpiece. Your personal masterpiece. For sure going to my faves. What a wonderful way to express love.
St.Cross Avatar
July 15, 2012 at 6:17 PM
‡ Hey Beautiful Terry, Just Passing Back By This Amazing Fascinating In Classics Beauty Of A Poe, To Say Thank You For Your Kind Visit & Yesss, Swirling & Twirling As Dripping Upon The Tongue * I Can't Get No, Satisfaction, But I Try & I Try & I Try, & I Try, Yea Yea Yea *.* My Luv, Rachel ‡
Gooden Avatar
July 15, 2012 at 2:16 PM
Oooh loved this! Use to wish Tristan was mine and disliked the evil King Mark. Great lyrics Terry.
Situation Avatar
July 15, 2012 at 6:41 AM
a great work!!!! but deep winded. break it down three times. i'm serious.
Kendrick Avatar
July 15, 2012 at 5:39 AM
Whoa!..Great romantic work..She will love this one..Enjoyed reading this morn..Sara
Puddifoot Avatar
July 14, 2012 at 2:30 PM
who could resist after this tour de force of romantic, vibrant images?
Horne Avatar
July 13, 2012 at 1:36 PM
wow, truly awesome write here, Terry
Onclaud Avatar
July 13, 2012 at 12:24 PM
oh my, a fire raging from deep within, spilled forth by your writing... well done, terry!..:) huggs
Pettit Avatar
July 11, 2012 at 8:38 PM
You had your imagination shifted into sixth gear when you wrote this! This is an absolutely splendid write that makes my list of favorites on this site.
Brown Avatar
July 11, 2012 at 1:43 PM
It was such a pleasure to read your poetry today Terry. I hope to be able in the next few weeks to find the time and energy to read and comment. May you walk through the garden of inspiration and continue to write and share your poetry with us. Love, Carol
St.Cross Avatar
July 11, 2012 at 6:08 AM
‡ Tis Like A Beautiful Love Song Of Enchantedness, Sweet Beautiful Terry * Makes The Heart Throb As Thoughts In Dreams Sooo Soft They Seem * On Candy Lips You Wish To Kissss & Kissss Again & Kissss Again * Yesss, & What Is This In Life That Love's That Lives To Love That Bleeds To Love, This Beauty, This Beauty, This Beauty * Sooo Beautiful You Are * A Favourite To Be Cherished Near One's Heart * My Luv, Rachel ‡
O'Leary Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 7:31 PM
Thank you Rachel... you're very kind... :-))
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