Love and I once spoke

Not too long ago,

I thirsted for her wisdom

To help me learn and grow.

 

"Love," I sighed with heavy heart

All cracked and torn and used,

"Where are you really, in this world

Of lies? What is the truth?"

 

With ringed eyes and a gentle smiles,

We began the first of many miles.

She held my hand and guided me

Through a world where she is hard to see.

 

I saw a couple entwined in passion-

Hands were held and lips were filled...

Yet Love was an apparition.

"She's grasping for a love everlasting

But really, he's never known me.

What's here is a boy

Playing with girls like toys

Until he gets bored

Or until she is broken.

 

Like fire, he'll eat away her fuel

To him, girls are only tools

To be used only once

And confused for a while

Until the abuse

Has worn away her smile."

 

Through misty eyes, I looked within,

My memories sore and bruised.

Love gently raised my chin

And said, "Here, look again."

 

 

I saw two figures walking,

Laughing side by side,

There was joyful cetainty

When they looked in each other's eyes.

The flame they had was tame,

And shared. Both took and gave,

They were each other's failsafe

Securely unified.

 

A sapling sprung between them, 

Youthful, budding, lean.

Love gestured to the hopeful plant

And said, "That, dear, is me.

I'm slowly being born

With natural ease.

Sure and steady, 

Sincere and true.

They help each other

And live their truths."

 

With heart and mind

Both filled with certitude

My doubts' icy blue

Began to melt, to break free.

 

Yet a flicker of ambivalence

Flared into a storm,

"What if that tree doesn't grow anymore?

What if the tree grows thorns?

What if you fade, even if they together remain?

What if you don't stay the same?"

These, and many more,

Swirled around, almost closed a door

Until Love put her finger to my lips

And said, "Look again, there's more."

 

I saw aged hands entwined,

Two rings, still side by side,

Youth was gone

Yet Love held strong,

The sapling now a giant.

Sure, there were scrapes on the tree;

It had endured storms,

Had survived winter freezes,

Yet through it all

The weathered hands were together strong.

 

Now, Love was stronger than ever before,

Her aura was powerful

Yet subtle, demure.

As I looked at her, I began to see

That Love truly resides within me.

Love isn't a prize

That I win or lose,

It's gained little by little

By the choices I choose.

So bring on the trials,

Bring on the change,

I know that I'm not meant

To remain the same.