Fairest Sarah

A familiar rhetorical situation done in the English Sonnet form.

Tis with gentle care I wipe thy brow;

Oh, fairest Sarah with thy auburn hair;

The fever callest thee to fulfill our vows;

On this cold winter’s day - my soul despairs.

 

Why, oh why God dost thou chasten?

Does not thy Holy Word declare

How for thine own thy peace ye hasten;

And for the same all burdens to bear?

 

Be still my bride, our vow twill ne’er break;

This chalice is filled with winter’s solace;

From the bitter tree an elixir thou makes;

Close thine eyes - join in eternal embrace.

 

On a cold winter’s day �" no more despair;

Oh, fairest Sarah with thy auburn hair.

 

Reviews

[David Lewis Paget]

This is certainly a departure, and an interesting one, into the medieval, perhaps Elizabethan world. The message is filled with an agony of questioning. To hold steadfast to the vows of marriage, or to escape into suicide together via the 'bitter elixir' in the chalice. The reiteration of 'winter' tends to indicate the end of life, advancing age, and despite remaining steadfast to your vows, you question God's promise to take on your burdens, relieve perhaps, your failures. Sad and introspective, one fears that the escape into 'eternal embrace' would be a capitulation, and a denial of life.

[Brianna Brie]

Now I get the image in my head that this is a young man loosing his bride before they have had a chance to share their whole lives together. It has an old world feel with such remorse interwoven throughout. There is an undertone of questioning faith which often happens with losing a loved one. Excellent write!!!

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Todd,

This is one of your finest pieces. It is full of sadness and despair at the all too common disaster awaiting us in old age and the end of life. David Lewis Paget had a very apt summary. This is a despairing in the end, and a doubting of the peace of God's offering. It is an offer by a husband to end all things and fulfill love's demands and commitment. Powerful! And a write that continues to grow with rereading.

As I've said so many times before, my friend, when you turn to deep subjects your poetry soars. This is a fine example. Very top marks!

Very best regards,

Rick

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Sixteenth or Seventeenth century this sounds like, maybe around John Donne's day. I liked it.

[Angelic Darkness]

In my opinion, you are questioning your personal relationship with your wife..like
where do you fit in. Questioning the vows you made before God, maybe, why
his presence hasn't been in your life when you need him the most.

Your words are really beautiful, yes sad, but even in sadness, when you are
the most vulnerable, you are the most beautiful....

Thank you for sharing this:)

AD

[Michael Kerr]

i liked it todd. what made you write it?

-mike kerr-