If Thou Shalt Love Me

If thou shalt love me, love me always true
Not just for the way I appear to you
But for the ways of mine heartbeat within
For the love of the gods and not for sin.
Love me not for the manner of this world
Giving of trinkets and dreams that unfurl
Where dreams lose devotion to thy purpose
And love is denied and sorely grievous.
Neither love me just in passions embrace
For youthful bodies lose pace with old age
And for another thou would desert me
A thousand deaths I would die without thee.

Love my thoughts, my sense, my feelings, my soul
Love for love's sake, hearts one forevermore.

February 20, 1999