Nothing
in all creation
can equal
true loves value
a priceless gift
Unpretentiously given
delicately expressed
no accommodation
for superiority
or spite
Tranquilly awaiting
to build you up
supporting
your independence
devotion
is not possessive
A sanctuary
in moments of sorrow
embracing
empathies
healing strength
Sensual desires
breathtaking enchantments
arousing playfully
devilish romance
Most importantly
true love
is
unconditional
Rose colored glasses long ago shattered...
No time for phantom kisses...
Nor faux acts of love...
The keeper of this heart—
will captivate me unpretentiously...
Taking me as I am...
Sweeping me off my feet
sending my soul on a mission of surprise
mingled with admiration...
Whisk me away on his magic carpet—
to a special place with the prospect of sharing
a spirituality that’ll rival mythical God’s...
Build a trust that no one can bring to naught...
Be my hero—my gift with no expected reciprocity...
Hold me in his arms with insane intensity;
as if there is no tomorrow...
Make me feel loves heat
with no intention of starting a fire...
Awe me with his contemplation of my desires
without my asking...
Penetrate my heart with a percussion
that strikes a cord of sweet melodies...
Igniting a conscious love journey
that will renew time and time again
as we vehemently love each other veraciously...
For decades I watched you toil
Modestly and unpretentiously
Life’s ups and downs
Not changing you one iota
A solid man with your integrity intact
No matter what came your way
Being your own master
And your own judge
Demanding and fair
Your heart into everything you did
You led by example
With principles and ethics
That’s how I learned the most valuable lesson
The one worth learning most of all
At the end of this whirlwind journey we call life
We will all stand alone to face our Maker
And show the integrity that’s in our heart
Published in my 24-page photo/anthology ~A SIMPLE MAN~ 2020
AP: 1st place 2025, Honorable Mention 2025
Submitted on October 8, 2018 for contest IN RESPONSE TO IF (RUDYARD KIPLING'S FAMOUS POEM 'IF') sponsored by SILENT ONE - RANKED 2ND
While the morning dozes in handedly
The sun paints inciting vegetation
Bit of greenly sward, applauds, snappishly
Moving, moping, in startled asp'ration
Lying in torment, unpretentiously
Wide-eyed land, romps energetically
Iridescent sunrise, floating flightless
Forenoon savors in sparkl'ng veracity
While the world spins in absolute hushness
And rattling in sweet regularity
Gloating tenderly, in edgy touchness
Warming the earth, raindrops, tumble from sky
And cockcrow holds its head high, in closeness
Feathered creatures in day peep, unify
Untamed wild, fills local space, once afresh
Deborah: the name I’ve grown into.
I am also called seeker, dreamer, believer, ever hopeful;
For I am all these things.
Helen and John, grandparents extraordinaire,
Their imprint strong upon me as though they truly were my parents.
Deborah: lover of words, of ideals, of the beautiful and the profound.
Truth, honor and integrity - these are my touchstones.
Cowardice, dishonor and mendacity - these are my fears.
Someday you may see standing in the bow of a boat,
Facing Kalvoy, Norway, island of my ancestors.
Someday you may see me walking a beach in Greece,
Barefoot, bare face turned up to the sky, daring the sun.
Someday you may see me striding the moors,
Unpretentiously holding a walking stick and wearing English wool.
Deborah: resident of St. Paul, Minnesota,
Land of 10,000 lakes, northern lights, frozen winters, hot summer nights.
Radke: the name I chose.
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