The Courts of Heaven By Tito

Like Beatrice was for Dante

you have been for me.

I hate all these modern re-tellings

that cast these two as lovers.

They're wrong.

They're self-serving.

And worse,

They miss the point.

I may never "have" you

(And what a gross way to phrase it)

Thinking of you as a possession

Makes me sick

I cannot even say "I love you".

Now, if a man loves a woman

It must involve sex.

I want you

but I don't want to "have" you

Not to say you're not beautiful

"Having" misses the point.

You're my Beatrice

You're my courtly love

You're my vision of the courts of Heaven

I want to be near you

because to be near you

is to be close to God.

I may never again gaze on your shining countenance

You are free

You go where He wills.

You serve not me

and I serve not you

But you've been unto me a vision

I'm dedicated to that cause.

I bring this to my memory

so I might remember crystal clear.

Beauty is not to be possessed

but set free

Not to be contained

but to follow

Not to be self-serving

but to serve

Because through you, living in the favor of God

I am guided to the courts of heaven.

Word Count - 214