Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Poetry of the Week: To My Enemy

This isn't exactly what I went looking for when I wanted poetry for this week, and isn't a sentiment I currently feel, but I think it has value and may speak to some of my friends and followers. Perhaps when I am through feeling small and fearful, I'll borrow some of Lucy Montgomery's defiance.



To My Enemy - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Let those who will of friendship sing,
And to its guerdon* grateful be,
But I a lyric garland bring
To crown thee, O, mine enemy! 

Thanks, endless thanks, to thee I owe
For that my lifelong journey through
Thine honest hate has done for me
What love perchance had failed to do. 

I had not scaled such weary heights
But that I held thy scorn in fear,
And never keenest lure might match
The subtle goading of thy sneer. 

Thine anger struck from me a fire
That purged all dull content away,
Our mortal strife to me has been
Unflagging spur from day to day. 

And thus, while all the world may laud
The gifts of love and loyalty,
I lay my meed of gratitude
Before thy feet, mine enemy!


* A reward or recompense.

No comments:

Post a Comment