A Friend To You

Ah, yes, I know, I realize

     Too well, the gulf ‘twixt you and me;

I fathom in those fond blue eyes

     That it can never, never be.

But ah! say not, old sweetheart mine,

     That I to you must say adieu;

Your presence sweet I’d not resign,

     Pray let me be a friend to you.

A friend to you; ah! even this

     Would cause my future skies to glow;

A friend to you, Oh! dregs of bliss

     I’d drink, if it were only so.                         Were mine

Say thus it is, and I depart,

     To keep your happiness in view;

You’ll find in me, my once sweetheart,

     A true and loyal friend to you.

March 6, ‘94

Pub. in B.

Courier, May 6, ‘94