To My First Love (Cavatina Sequence) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Ernest Dowson)

It felt like yesterday but was many years ago,
you loved me still;
your smile, your lips, your sighs and promises
did my heart fill;
shattered roses, carnations and lilies
with tears did spill,
while all my many promises were true,
in my way I have been faithful to you.

I have kissed other sweet lips in passion,
meant you no ill
after you had left for another lover;
in tender skill
I tried to exorcise your enchantment;
forever will
probably have feelings that are not due,
in my way I have been faithful to you.

To me your love was as fickle as the wind,
our youth is gone
and somehow still I wish you happiness,
now quite alone
love has left you for all the other men,
I have someone
young and lovely that came out of the blue,
in my way I have been faithful to you.

[Reference: “Cynara” by Ernest Dowson.]