Many People Knew You Well Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Robert Browning, for Minette)

Many people knew you well,
but not one of them as free,
as in the way that you were to me
and all your achievements they do tell

but even after death they are under your spell
and they a gracious beautiful lady see
while I am struck down by iniquity
and am wondering about heaven and hell

while watery my eyes go
and spiritless you lie at final rest
while I am deadly pale
and uncontrollable now my tears flow
while to me life is just a long continual test
in which we all struggle to prevail.

[Reference: "Sonnet: "Eyes calm beside thee (Lady, could'st thou know!) " by Robert Browning.]