A POOR MAN AM I:

But a poor man, gold I cannot buy for you to wear,

Only the sun I can bestow upon you,

Golden rays to wear within your hair.

 

Although a wanderer, silver I have never found,

Only the moon can I swathe you in,

Silvery moonbeams shall be your gown.

 

Being honest, diamonds I have never seen,

 But stars shall be your jewels,

The only sparkles to make you a queen.

 

Not a connoisseur, I know not best wine,

Dew from forest morn shall quench you,

Best liquor from dawn´s young pine.

 

Being no designer, I cannot dress you in silk,

Only in cloth of field´s breeze,

Soft as gossamer, lighter than milk.

 

Being a simple man, I know not perfumes,

But of lilly & rose I give to you,

Scents to follow you from womb to tomb.

 

Having no home, I cannot give you a marble bath,

But bathe my love, in ocean´s balm,

Calming waves follow you on your path.

 

As I own no bed for you to lay your head,

Desert sands I give to you my weary love,

No softer dune, nor better to call your bed.

 

Being tone deaf, for you, I cannot serenade,

Life´s orchestra of bird & beast I offer,

Every growing twig sings every green blade.

 

Being penniless, there´ll be no ruby red, no sapphire blue,

I offer earth´s jewels, not just a few shades,

Earth has for you, a million hues.

 

No gourmet am I, & I prepare not rich fare,

On river trout & earth´s vine you will feed,

No flesh sweeter, no juice richer than wild cool pear.

 

It is for you my love, to decide on me,

Whether for you, I am rich or poor,

Is that a tear upon your cheek I see?