HEART OF STONE—a ballad

A HEART OF STONE—a ballad



I did once have a heart of stone.
To me it strength did lend.
Then I met a wisp of a girl
And she my heart did bend.

I

I did not know what are feelings
Or what are emotions.
Ignorant I was of love
And romantic notions.


II

Maybe I did not have a heart,
Or it was just a stone;
Or, maybe if I had a heart,
To me it was unknown.

***

[REFRAIN]

I did once have a heart of stone.
To me it strength did lend.
Then I met a wisp of a girl
And she my heart did bend.

III

I was too proud of my muscle
Which could not be subdued;
As though aura invincible
I did somehow exude.


IV

It seems you cast a spell on me
And have some magic wrought.
To me your charm has, secretly,
A subtle message brought:

***

[REFRAIN]

I did once have a heart of stone.
To me it strength did lend.
Then I met a wisp of a girl
And she my heart did bend.

V

A message that in my heart do
Flow tender emotions;
It also has feelings of love
And romantic notions.

VI
Your love has taught me too well that,
My heart is fallible.
For me to live without you now
Is just impossible.

***

[REFRAIN]


I did once have a heart of stone.
To me it strength did lend.
Then I met a wisp of a girl
And she my heart did bend.


VII

Now yours only I wish to be
And let your charm abide.
I wish my stone heart be drowned
In your deepest love tide.


[REFRAIN]

I did once have a heart of stone.
To me it strength did lend.
Then I met a wisp of a girl
And she my heart did bend.

* Written in abcb 8-6-8-6 format
* Showcased in Poetry Newsletter dated 10 Feb 2016


M C Gupta
15 September 2003