How many loves to fill a heart?
Many, perhaps, or just one at the end?
Love for a mother’s smile, golden in childhood,
Unbroken illusion of happiness
That persists in memory.
The love of a first kiss, delicate, tremulous,
Mingling fear and excitement in awkward embrace
And discovered delight.
The love of a lifetime, dreamed in confetti, veiled in lace,
Sparkling like the diamond on its finger
In the moonlight.
Or love conceived,
Silent miracle that grows in silence,
Born to be loved, and growing in laughter
Drying tears in your hair even when he has to bow down
Just to reach.
Then the love of a friend,
With whom you share joy and run to in pain
And shared trust, without barriers.
Or the loves who are lost,
Heart aching absence, the unending counterpoint
That shadows joy… the heart’s chiaroscuro.
Or loves we are losing,
The vision of absence glazes each day
With future pain, while the soul keens softly.
How many loves to fill a heart?
Many, I think…or just one.
The love of Life despite present pain
Or future grief, regardless of memory
Dark or bright.
Embracing the sadness and the joy
That make us whole and tears us apart
Rebuilding us in Light.
How many loves to fill a heart?
To make it overflow with joy
And break it ceaselessly with recurring pain,
Healing it with laughter and a gentle smile?
Just One.
This is such a beautiful poem, Sue. I love it. I hope you are doing well today. Thinking of you.
LikeLike
Thank you, Robbe. Another busy day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem and feelings.
LikeLike
Thank you, Brad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peter was called the rock, since evil could not get past him, hope all is well, amen
LikeLike
All well here, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
amen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such life-affirming words. Beautiful. (K)
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person