Poem: It's A Virtue

It’s a Virtue

I

The woman who, engaged with me,

in 2 or 3 more years will be

(if even I am ready then

to bring on board that lifelong friend)

will need to have a patient heart

to tolerate our time apart.

I move more slowly than the moon

and won’t commit to marry soon,

but will commit to study whether

it’s worth committing, altogether.

II

I’ve lived two decades and a half

and as I tread my lonely path

I’ve pondered which fate would be worse—

—to never marry, or divorce.

In my view, I have but one shot:

to try, and do, or try it not.

And so, I know that when I find

that beauty which can make me blind

to ever wanting to do more

than show her what I’ve waited for,

I know the wise thing is to show

her who I am, so we can know

each other’s hearts before we stake

our future on what choice we make.

III

I’m not a fool, I don’t expect

to marry someone who’s perfect,

but rather, I am well aware

that such a view precedes despair.

Indeed, in part because of sin

I want,  before I enter in,

to bare the blackness of my heart

so that it’s out, before we start.

That way, neither has excuse

to say that “it is no more use,

I don’t even know you any more.

I’m done, I’m walking out the door.”

IV

Perhaps my rationale now shows.

The longer courtship I propose

is absolute necessity.

It will take time for use to be

acquainted to the level which

will spare us from a common ditch.

And that is why my perfect girl

is simply she who will endure

and understands that first we must

build up a strong and mutual trust

so that we can discern, and see

if she can be a part of me,

and I a part of her as well;

these things take time, and time will tell.

~ Rak Chazak