CANTO 54
My sorrow, Ceclia, & my love, Have but a single source, as You, I trust, completely understand: That myself, now being old & ill, Am altering beyond repair the man You fell for, 30 years ago. Cecelia! 3 years I'd loved You, dear Cecelia, & never spoke of it; I saw your love Was for your husband; & I liked the man, & loved my wife, tho' not as I loved You. But then I heard you had split up- ill Will both ways, you wept. To understand I asked for more, but we two understood. We parted with me saying, "Cecelia, Could we meet sometime?" You took it ill, I though, during your long pause; love The last thing on your mind. Then You, At last, spoke: "Thanks, I needed that: Oh, man, I heard the thought went into that; a man Could not help tell himself: "She understands." As day by day I waited, days became weeks, You Failed to phone. "Ah well, I see, Cecelia Is not for me." A month had gone. "David, love, A female student wants to speak to you." "Ill, Were you? I missed You!" Silence. Then: "Ill Mentally, I guess. I made a mistake. Wrong man. Wrong me. I kept wanting you. It's you I love." "I can't tell you how glad I am to hear-I understand The delay-glad to hear you're better, Cecelia. Can You see me at that café, Tuesday noon? See You Then." To my wife: "an ex-student. Here. I'll show you Some of her poetry." In the weeks to come, the ill Will between my wife and I ripened, while Cecelia & I were happy, as if for the first time, woman & man Together, a joy that strengthened us until we understood That betrayal of our marriages must be borne for love That would outlast betrayal. And soon it did; for love Afresh came to our spouses. And for 6-&-20 years, You Have come with me, thru ill & good, to understand- As our wonderful, complex daughter shall-that of ill & good our lives are made, that often, a man must wait out darkness, 'til soon or late, Cecelia Shine through; a Cecelia, I hope, for any man Patient & bold, though ill maybe, but understanding, So that a You may come to you, & learn your love.