Promises

We tend to make promises, often which we have no hope (or sometimes even intention) of keeping. This is especially true when it comes to romance, promises sound good, they stir the emotions, they fill both parties with desire, appreciation, and contentment. However we often promises things that we have no hope of keeping, 'I will never hurt you', or 'I'll always do what is best for you'. Another favorite of mine is 'I'll always put you first', these promises are impossible to keep because it is human nature to be selfish and the nature of relationship to hurt one another. Some might take this to be a dim view of love but I promise you that it is not. Relationship and romance have vast rewards to offer, but they also have inevitable pains that must be endured to achieve those rewards. Even our relationship with God is wrought in pain, matured in pain, and tested by pain. This poem is my response to those promises, when I finally find my wife I know that man, and the husband that I should be...I also know that I am less than perfect and will, at times, fail to be that man and that husband. The best promise that I can make her is that I will try my utmost to be that which I should be.

I should ne'er leave you
Nor should I forsake you
Just as God has not me
But perchance I will and do
Shall you take me back?

I should ne'er hurt you
Nor bring you harm
Just as God has not me
But perchance I will and do
Shall you, by willingness, forgive?

I should always put your best at first
Caring for all your needs and wants and dreams
Just as God has cared for me
But perchance I fall and fail
Shall you, in grace, lift up my head?

I should love you e'er the sun stands in the sky
And moon and stars give light to night
Just as God has loved me
But perchance I fall and fail
Shall you, in turn, love me?

I should promise only what I can give
And keep each and every one I make
Just as God has promised me
But perchance I fall and fail
Shall you, in mercy, promise me?

I make what promises I may
And keep all those I can
I am not God
Having not his power
Nor his constancy
But I promise this, and keep it will

I should love you till the stars
Grow cold and gutter out
If you, in turn, should love me