Fidelis Vernula Poem by Melissa Hurst

He cast his heart into the sea
and said, 'If you want my love,
you must fish for my heart.'
And I replied, 'I shall sacrifice
my breath in those waters
for your heart.'

He cast his faith into bushels of thorns
and said, 'If you want my trust,
you must suffer for it.'
I replied, 'I shall endure
the prick of thorns
for your trust.'

He threw his fidelity
into a circle filled with nude men
and said, 'If you want my devotion,
stand among them and let me monitor your eyes.'
And I replied, 'I shall stand in their presence,
but my eyes will hunger only for your nakedness
and they will only be fixed upon thee.'

He threw his health
into a pit of filth
and said, 'If you want to care for me,
clear away all that intends to harm my body.'
I replied, 'I shall endure sickness for your health,
pain for your pleasure, and filth for your spotless face.'