Love was true to me

John Boyle O'Reilly

1844 to 1890

Poem Image

Love was true to me, 
True and tender; 
I who ought to be 
Love’s defender, 
Let the cold winds blow 
Till they chilled him; 
Let the winds and snow 
Shroud him—and I know 
That I killed him. 

Years he cried to me 
To be kinder; 
I was blind to see 
And grew blinder. 
Years with soft hands raised 
Fondly reaching, 
Wept and prayed and praised, 
Still beseeching. 

When he died I woke, 
God! how lonely, 
When the gray dawn broke 
On one only. 
Now beside Love’s grave 
I am kneeling; 
All he sought and gave 
I am feeling.