“Cherish”
I promise thee nothing; thou, who art neither a child nor yet a man. I make no flattering vows to lull thy troubled mind. I swear not to thee alone my affection; my heart is yet young and free. Yet, in moments of quiet solitude, devotion reaches for thy soul. I promise thee not an everlasting rainbow of romance and beauty, now so pleasing to thine eyes; for thine eyes may change. Only thine inner sight can perceive me as I am. I promise thee not unbroken trust in the sweet fleeting words that flow like honey from thy lips and vanish into the night; yet, somehow, I believe that thou truly dost love me. I promise thee no perfect understanding for thy secret ways; man is mortal. Yet, in laughter, my soul rejoiceth with thee; in sorrow, weepeth as thine own. I vow not to call thee my sweetheart, for I want not to hurt thee with deception. Yet, when some unpretentious stranger ask for the name of my lover, it is thy name that I give. I promise thee not love. I cannot promise thee what is not mine to give; I can only refract a ray of divinity. I give thee not my hand; too soon will it be bound. Yet, with whom else will I choose to link my eternal destiny? To thee, a youth of but seventeen, with thy fond dreams and noble ideals, may faith in life itself be thine. May thine heart cherish all the happiness that is due thee. May thy soul be filled, thou that desirest the paradise of love. Yet, I promise thee nothing--only an unwavering faith in thy God. --written at age 16 --10/10/62