Psyche Poem by Gert Strydom

I
Far too many of Cupid's arrows have struck my heart
and where I am wandering in the veldt on an open plain
from all of those lovely maidens I am now apart,
few of the effect of the lost loves do remain

II
when suddenly on two naked lovers I do stumble upon
lying with their limbs intertwined in a deep sleep
as if all fear of interruption or discovery is gone.
For a moment I consider to take the bow and it to keep.

III
That they are not mortal and from a far off realm are clear
and the lovely women's face so innocent and full of grace
let me think it over and in the shadow of another tree quite near
I sit both happy and puzzled to see them in their intimate embrace

IV
where they both lie in the shadow of a very huge tree
probably an Yggdrasil that binds heaven, earth and hell
and I know about myths do not believe tales from antiquity
but right here are two gods or I am under a kind of spell.

V
I am thinking about taking the bow and quiver and shooting
some of those damned and blessed arrows at him where he is at my mercy
and that would make him fall in and out of love and would be something
but reason tells me not to annoy the gods and to let them be

VI
and what's more most trees hereabout are acacia's and all of them I know
but this one is different and very unfamiliar to me and somewhat strange
where its shade even has some odd tranquility that it does bestow
and when I was near to the bow something in my soul and heart did change.

VII
That the fair lady had wondered throughout the earth on a quest
I can see from her clothing that lies in a bundle near to me
as there are some things from France, Spain all of the very best
and here in her sleep she looks so thrilled and very happy.

VIII
I would not be able to get it over my heart to do her any harm
and I decide to walk away and in peace to leave them and let them lay
but my eyes catch the movement of a slender female arm
while with open lovely sky-blue eyes she looks and we have got nothing to say

IX
while like the summer sun her gaze and benevolent smile do follow where I do go.

[Reference: . The Nordic "Yggdrasil" legendary tree is a tree that connects the under-earthly (hell) , earth and heaven with each other.]

© Gert Strydom