I hope you’ll read my message lost at sea
It’s true that I had sworn to stay discreet
And vowed to live detached from all the world
But how could I remain without a word
And miss a meeting set a decade back
Afraid was I to let this week elapse
Unable yet to write the least of lines
But here am I inventing words of truth
Demanding gifts that God bestow on saints
At least a favour made by fate to love
Who else than me deserves a truce in grief
Except the living dead and mourning wombs
That haunt a world defiled by wicked souls?
The whims of lovers pale compared to hearts
That cry in earnest out of true despair
Should I be sorry then for selfish dreams?
An ounce of shame do I have not indeed
And state that love’s lament is all that counts
It’s not as if the choice was mine in fact
To feel content with what a life allows
Am I to blame if fortune serves me right
With wooing whines to brag about as woes?
That sorrow sure is shallow face to death
And yet it’s true, who else but you can know
The way the flame is being kept today
In verses tossed to winds that scatter calls?
As true devouts will pray, my psalms are free
They wait for no replies or lucky charms
But praise the grace you once revealed to me
When years ago, before a decade’s wait,
A sound of alien laughter seemed akin
Although it spoke in waves that rode the Rhine
Along a lilt that lulls and heals the heart
Because that stream would lead to awesome seas
Your voice announced the smile of greenest eyes
Recall the yellow leaves and scarlet wine
The scent of salt the sea would send ashore
Our talks at hungry meals around the clock
The rest is history kindred spirits know
And whisper under words they learn to tame
They live along the lines unveiled at last
And will continue so, if God permits,
In silent songs that hush the solemn times
I’d fancied louder flash and thunder shows
With signs and blessing omens well deserved
Befitting such a decade meeting more
But life disdains the mawkish mood of love
And so the Rhine is mute and keeps its route
As Lorelei, forsaken, wails along