Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 9/My confession

by George R. Taylor

MY CONFESSION.

 

Wife! long true to me,
Through good and ill:
Hear my confession,
And love me still!

I was not false, dear,
When, years ago,
Thinking I loved you,
I told you so.

Yet, my gift to you
I lived to see
Was not fair payment
For yours to me.

You did not know it;
You guessed not how
I was your debtor,—
As I am now.

I dare not own it,
This later day,
Were I not able
Some part to pay.

Watching together
Here, by this bed,
Where, softly pillowed,
Lies one bright head;

Smiling together
On other face,
Pressed to your bosom—
Its rightful place.

Thus, dear, I venture
To whisper this,—
Now that I give you
A whole-heart kiss.

Now that—God helping—
I am to you
Husband more worthy,
Lover more true.

G. R. T.