To Bernice
First part written by 29 January 1970
Completed by 2 March 1970

My wife, Bernice was seriously dating another man when I met her. Needless to say, 
I was jealous, particularly when she left for a weekend with her old beaux. 
Eventually, she fell in love with me. Later on, Bernice's sister set up that man 
with the woman he married.

I swore to put my heart to verse
To speak aloud about Bernice
I then renewed my ancient curse
Her love's reduced and mine's increased

But now I'll flirt with fate and try
To stay her longer in my sight
She goes away I know not why
And I tried not to stop her flight

Oh, I could play a game and flirt
To get revenge which would feel sweet
But I'm not one the truth to skirt
I reached not for her fleeing feet

A wave of anger rushed through me
It weighed on me a day or two
I burned me hot with jealousy
And then I had a feeling new

I want Bernice that's what I fain
The jealousy's a thing of hate
That slows your mind and adds deep pain
I'll be direct, my heart I'll state

Oh woman with your divine form
So gentle soul made body soft
You're not unique, its my tenth storm
By fair sex caused at least that oft

But you've a power o'er my soul
That captures me at least today
To make you mine is now my goal
If after that you run away
I'll gather rosebuds while I may

.....
Second Part

So now a month has passed, my rose.
I've let you see some bad in me
My love it like an ice jam flows
Heaps high with feelings blocked unfree
But waters warm are melting me
My good will rush down to your sea

There'll always be some chunks of ice
Trapped in my flow and sinking deep
What woman wants her man all nice
A sluggish creek almost asleep

A mountain stream I am and you
Are the sea I enter roaring
I am part ice and yet its true
That you want to do some melting

But you are not a passive sea
With waves and tides you greet my flow
You grew more sweet by melting me
But I have brought the salt you know

From you it is my waters rise
You vaporize and float on high
And drop on me from stormy skies
Then gorging down to you I fly

I rip the land and rake up mud
As I go rushing down to you
You mother life when we mix blood
New streams will bed in our mud stew.