Perceptions Poem by David Tremain

I dreamt, when first I looked, I saw a flame burn bright within those eyes;
I see now that there was no flame- not fire saw I there but ice.

I swore I heard a wistful sigh; a joyous shout; a muffled cry;
But as I listen now I know- only an empty laugh heard I

I hoped that if I looked, I’d find, with patient scrutiny, some sign
And still I searched in vain to find some proof you wanted to be mine

At last, I caught a glimpse of hope amidst a quickly dark’ning sky:
A sideward glance across a room, a smile- oh how my heart did fly!

I trusted then, when all had gone, and you and I were left alone
That you, whose life and love I held still dearer even than my own

Would give yourself to me and we, together, could forever be
As one in all eternity- but as I speak these words I see

The smile has gone; the eyes grow cold- you struggle now beneath my hold.
Did I fall so far from the truth when I had reasoned to be bold?

Your heart was mine- so sure was I! -now broken, lost, I swell with rage
For nothing had I hoped and dreamed, for nothing was as it had seemed; as foreign words upon a page

I read you wrong, and unreturned had gone all my devout affections
How could I have ever guessed the fallacy of my perceptions?

And so it is I sit alone and while I cry, at least I know
That where the rotten fruit is thrown, such other fruits may someday grow