To Madeleine 1976 Poem by Roy William Gotaas

TO MADELEINE
(whose guardian I was; whom I loved dearly and with whom, when she was 17, I discovered I was in love.)


I loved you as a father,
Tho’ father you had none:
As one who loves all children,
So I would be that one.

I loved you as a brother,
Tho’ sister have I none:
Playmates we were together,
Under a rising sun.

I love you as betrothed,
Tho’ no ring is by:
For in my pillowed dreams
‘Tis in your arms I lie.

I’ll love you as a husband,
Tho’ worlds apart us keep:
For when our days are over
‘Tis by your side I’ll sleep.