I was inspired by God to write this poem, “Tug of War” after kissing the dirt rather hard and sudden! I, looking back, did all the wrong things in trying to win the affection of a godly woman which I had the rare honor to know. I was a fool for her. I definitely did not play the game strategically at all! As it occurs so often in life, an important life lesson was learned through the reflection of utter failure. The relationship for me was almost instantly ethereal! Tears fill my eyes as I reflect to the joy I knew, yet all too sudden. This woman also reciprocated the attraction and the uncanny familiarity that we, almost instantly, mutually shared. Given my lack of experience in how to gender a healthy, strong relationship with a woman and her understandable fear of further hurt and a broken heart, it was a relationship that was doomed from the start. My heart was, almost, instantly slipping away from my grasp into her own. I pulled too hard and she released the rope of mutual affection. I don’t fault her but I do miss her. With some sadness, I do thank her for a lesson that I most assuredly needed which is meted out in this poem.
Tug of War
The game of when man meets woman
Much like tug of war with a rope
Each in turn shows interest… not too sudden
Slow to take up the slack of hope
As each in turn shows they care some
There’s a very real yet gentle pull
Keep your head; dont get lost in pleasures to come
Patience will keep you from playing the fool
Match the tug of your partner, building slightly
Not too strong but ever so real
Take care not to hold on too tightly
Though it seems a battle, up hill
Respect her time and heart that’s been hurt
Don’t pull with all of your might
If one suddenly releases, the other kisses the dirt
Keep your head, the strategy that’s right
To keep your head is to keep your feet planted
lose it and unbalanced you’ll fall
Take no word or act for granted
Or you’ll risk losing it all
To let your heart show a little is good
Eek it out, gradual, in time with her
Treat her well, attentive as you should
Holding back not wanting to smother
Take care to show regular growing interest
Keep the rope steady and taut
Each endearing act of caring will invest
In a strong, healthy relationship well sought
The ideal outcome in this tug of war
Would be a mutual surrender
A surrender of hearts worth waiting for
No more a borrower nor lender
The game no more but a love oh so real
Hand in hand they’ll walk together
With heaven’s bond and God’s seal
By: Patrick Brady