Poem 114, Sonnet 57: Here Is My Heart Poem by Samer Madbak

Thou who has long been tapping at my door,
How oft you stood without, and called for me
Neglected my neglect, my apathy
O’erlooked my oversight, my slight forbore…
O Lyre of love, and Heaven’s blameless score
I stunned my ears and drowned your melody
In Stygian folds of vice and infamy
And yet, your strains intoned for evermore!
Here is my vagrant sail, my restive oar
Make this your vessel, take the captaincy
Divert it from this Leviathanic sea
And moor my self upon your peaceful shore…
Here is my vacant heart, come in and dwell,
Make this your home, O come Emmanuel.


Beirut
March 11th 1996