Classic Poem

The love of a woman is sweet;
In life I have fondled a few,
Have felt the red blood as it beat
The uttermost arteries through.
Yet God in His wisdom divine,
Yet God in His infinite plan,
Made nothing as holy and fine
As the love of a man for a man.

There was one with the dark in her hair,
There was one with the dawn in her eyes,
There was one who had kisses to spare —
For never a memory dies.
But, maids, you were nothing but maids;
You passed, as the waters that ran.
For what are the angels or jades
By the love of a man for a man?

The love of a woman is warm,
Her kisses as hot as the South,
And glorious battle to storm
The road to her amorous mouth.
But what is the nectar you drink,
The fragile and beautiful span,
By one indestructible link,
The love of a man for a man?

For when she has thrown you aside,
Has passed from embraces and sight,
And all of the noonday has died
And left but the stars and the night,
You feel on your shoulder a hand,
For comfort you come where you can,
And deep in your heart understand
The love of a man for a man.

He'll go with you over the trail,
The trail that is lonesome and long;
His faith will not falter nor fail,
Nor falter the lilt of his song.
He knows both your soul and your sins,
And does not too carefully scan.
The highway to Heaven begins
With the love of a man for a man.