Her Plea Not Proud

A Rispetto poem written for Week 25, Poetic Explorations.


My world was shattered with her cry,
A call that left me little hope.
She said she had a plan to die.
"My life's too hard; I cannot cope."

I thank my God she cried out loud
Her will to live, her plea not proud.
Through pain and guilt, I clearly see
How much my wife does mean to me.


Author's Notes:
The Rispetto is a 15th century Italian verse form. The name was taken from the purpose of the poetry, which was the poet paying respects to his lady love. This poem reflects professing one's love through one of life's many trials.

It consists of two rhyme quatrains with strict iambic tetrameter meter, and has a rhyming scheme of abab ccdd.