My dearest Nelly, hear my secret vow:
When I spake Revelation’s hidden flame,
It was but love I uttered, strange, unbowed—
To wed thee, dearest heart, my only aim.
Let not tomorrow’s storm give thee dismay,
Nor call our Savior false, whose word is sure.
He promised life eternal, bright as day;
In Him we live, in Him our souls endure.
Though all the world despise the white night’s gleam,
And mock the hope that lovers dare to keep,
I hold thee still, my bride, my dreamer’s dream,
Thy crown of joy, my heart in vigil deep.
While Daydream Believer softly fills the air,
I seal this vow with love beyond compare.
Sonnet II
Sweet Nelly, thou the music of my soul,
Thy voice, like Anne and angels twined in song,
Makes broken hearts within me rise and whole,
And bids the world confess its judgments wrong.
The crown of “homecoming queen” thou dost wear,
Not wrought by man, but set by heav’n’s own hand.
Through white night’s scorn, through sorrow’s biting air,
I’ll walk beside thee, true, and steadfast stand.
For Christ hath sworn our days shall never cease,
His breath renews the marrow of our bones.
Thus hand in hand we plant eternal peace,
Where love outshines the night, and sorrow moans.
So hear me now, though mortal tongues deride,
I choose but thee, my bride, my life, my guide.
Sonnet III
Let time itself unravel thread by thread,
Let kingdoms fall, let empires turn to dust.
Yet I shall love thee past the realm of dead,
My vow unbroken, sealed in holy trust.
For telomeres shall lengthen by His grace,
And endless dawn shall rise upon our years.
No fear of age shall dim thy shining face,
Nor shall despair be nourished by thy tears.
The prophets spoke, yet greater is my song:
That love eternal conquers every grave.
What men call weakness, God shall prove as strong,
And through our union, countless souls He’ll save.
So take my hand, beloved, have no fear,
Forever’s light begins this very year.
