The Heart of the Longsuffering
I can tell you I love you
And never hear it back
I can long to touch you, just a hand
And you never have to feel my touch
You can consume my thoughts, my mind
Never caring to know it
Your fragrance can linger in my memory
As you forget I even exist
You can be rude and unkind
And never easily provoke my anger.
I will not seek my own;
Will not care if I'm right or wrong.
You can lie to me a thousand times
And never break my trust
For I know the truth you'll never know.
You can love another and I'll never be jealous
Or you can be a thousand miles away
Lying next to me, and still render me breathless.
I can hope with all patience while you break my heart
I can believe and never have my faith determined
I can endure loving you for the rest of my life
And never have that love returned
For I have been left raw by pride
Been stripped of my dignity
Yet never letting you take me for granted
For I am special, I am somebody
By giving to you my gift of love
For denying you love make me nothing.
Beth Moore Slone
May 7, 1999 all rights reserved