Why must I praise you in a dying art,
When newer forms might win you greater fame?
What justice to your grace do words impart,
Where song and image now divide the reign?
Why press your beauty into fourteen lines
While others laud in simple verse that’s free?
Why not embrace the chaos of our times—
Now idolized by high society?
Because, my love, for who you truly are,
That you and gracious art are but the same;

For still, the sweetest sonnet can’t compare—
Nor perfumed words here merit your acclaim;
I penned these words for you, my heart to give—
So artful truth and beauty ever live.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

These words, though writ for many touch the few,
The few that trust not eyes, but trust the soul;
The ones that scan black ink, yet see right through,
Where to distill the truth is but the goal.
Thus they will see the beauty of your eyes;
And marvel at the luster of your hair;
See gracious splendor here devoid of pride;
A sainted spirit born of heaven’s air;
They’ll feel the softness of your tender touch;
And bask beneath the radiance of your smile,
Fair gaze upon a feminine nonesuch—
Whose virtue could the very gods beguile.
Yes, they will share the pleasures of your grace,
As I, in ink, your wonders now retrace.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

I came to you not much a beggar born,
And there I pledged my troth, your heart to win;
My only gift—a lowly life thus sworn
And all the love one humble man could give.
I clasped your hand, head bowed, on bended knee;
Scorn and repudiation set to hear;
Girding my soul, my sentence yet to grieve—
Sweet love to die upon the altar there.
Your words came as an arrow to my heart,
But not the bolt whereof sweet love lies slain;
Nay, with the best dear Eros could impart,
If love did ever trust upon his aim;
So for your love when asked what ploy I plied,
I fair reply: the gods were on my side.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

Ever more strongly, ever more surely,
Two hearts have bonded closer together;
Ever more nearly, ever more dearly
Two cherished spirits clasp one another;
Ever more fondly, ever more warmly
Two souls continue their loving embrace;
Ever more staunchly, ever more calmly,
Hands fold together with fingers enlaced.

So they move onward as time marches forward,
True lovers borne on the river of life;
Not a glance reward, faith is their bollard,
Ever together as husband and wife.
Love is time honored and all is conquered
Whenever hearts join to make the world right;
All eyes turn upward, love is their songbird,
Heaven on earth is their sweet paradise.

Written for Joe and Amy on the eve of their wedding.
Happiness forever.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

Your love for me—my raison d’être—
The breath of my life, the blood of my veins;
My love for you has edged me ever better
To strive for all that life and love attains.
Bonds so sure, no man could put asunder
This song affirms what shall outlast all time;
Our shrine, when we, the sweet green earth lie under,
And other voices echo this dear rhyme.
Two hearts as one—we know the old cliche;
But hackneyed truth still as a truth does live,
And hearts so wedded in sweet love do say—
The love we gain is but the love we give.
Two hearts embrace and live as forever one;
So may we live—and this song ever sung.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.