Courtly LOve

There she stands
Magnificent, yet unaware
of my yearning, my devotion

Silhouetted
Framed by a setting sun
graceful body, shadowed through her gown

Her skin, hair
beyond my description, imagination
of my poor powers of speech

Without knowing
she commands my feeble efforts
intended, hopeful, to fall within her gaze

In her name
I would dare deeds so bold
slaying dragons and armored foe

For her smile
I would risk my very life and limb
so no harm might befall hers

And even death
I would embrace most gladly
if that be the cost of her kiss

My Guinevere
destined am I to be a lonely knight
Not Arthur, nor bold Lancelot

For propriety
denies my hand the touch of skin
fate denies the warmth of caress

Here I stand
miserable in my devotion
presumptuous in my desire

There she stands
magnificent, yet unaware
of my sadness, of my pain