A Treasured Friend's Valentine's Wish
You talked your way into my life a treasured friend
bringing laughter, strength, and understanding
Then one day you left, creating a void no other could fill
As I move through my days once more
like an elusive butterfly, miraculously, you returned
Wishing for more, for which I cannot ask of you
because to another you belong
Content, I now remain letting you flutter in and out of my life.
But know if things could have been different
so would have been our lives
To you this Valentines Day,
I wish, above all, happiness you deserve
freeing you of pain, you hold within memories unforgotten
and someday knowing the love I hold was yours without asking.
Fountain
Thy fountain, shall flow with eager devotion.
From silent ever-lasting moments,
Beautiful memories pressed in time.
Fleeting glances that skip thine heart's motion,
Relinquishing gestures, tender and kind.
Those delicate touches, so quiet, so soft, so true.
Moments, these two destined souls understand.
Come hither, thine heart's key belongs to you.
Burst forth, the gates which encumber, this island.
This sweet wellspring, The fount which avows,
Thine fountains sacramental offering.
composed necessity, two eternal souls en route.
Ties' supplied, continuously replenished.
Thy fountain shall never draw to drought.
Rome
Some day we will visit Rome again.
Brave the awesome summer thunder
to throw coins in the Trevi fountain
and drink espresso in cafes, under
rain soaked sunshades. Watch as the
swallows soar west, over the sunset
of St. Peter’s square. The shadows
of the Coliseum still gather late
afternoon glare. Today, there is only
an antiseptic ward and a kindly young
man who does not know what to say. Rome
waits for now in an unknown mist. Some
other time we will return, you say.
Another time, I promise. Some other day
Surrender
I envy those who are free
Who need not struggle
For I am condemned
Yet hold the key to my irons
Through monochromatic eyes
Their loyalty will never falter
A corset of morals sewn into flesh
Suffocating primal tendencies
For what is love?
But sacrifice and strength
To hold still in the wake of temptation
For in one fluid motion love can cease
So I relinquish these domesticated loins
These which no longer belong to me
O' Ill-fated party
Right from the start
Peg’s wealth gave Bob pause
His pride be the cause
Still he gave his whole heart,
Rather humble of birth
Lack of money the stumble
At first glance he did tumble
She ignored his low worth,
Peg’s openhearted gaiety waited
His empty hand be dreaded
Her patience was shredded
A moment past was fated,
Ending my sonnet I disparage
Given I was born of their marriage
i love you most
no one loves you more than i do
when you wear that silly hat
no one fills with joy like i do
when you look at me like that
i love you when you’re far away
more than when you’re near
i love it when we take it slow
but not so much in gear
i love our lazy mornings
but i still need my career
i love you, yes i do, i love
you but I can’t ignore
the truth that though i love you most
i think i love me more.
My Valentine Past
Two and sixty years my love, our life
Has been one carousel; now my dear
The end seems near; fear not for I am
Here, our feeble hands clasped secure
Four and tenth day my love, we rejoice
Our union in cupid’s ear, and wish you well
Saying, “I’m very proud of you m’darling,”
Then turn away and swig some Carling’s beer
Two minutes of deaf ear… “What’d you sayii?”
You implore to repeat clear, I oblige cause
You can’t hear; you’re comforting hand upon my
Rear, “It’s okay; I am tired of you too m’dear”
Me: my darling, your unholy presence
And you: my darling, my valentine past
The Fear of Love
Sweet clichés fall dripping from my tongue. You
are my honey, my sugarplum, my heart.
And I am a cold coward and untrue,
hiding fear with words, and tearing apart.
Would you know the truth? You scare me; hammer
the heart of me that journeyed in lonely
safety before you taught it to want more.
Why? Why seduce me into this agony,
no longer complete unto myself, but
wanting, needing, surrendering to you?
If this is love, then I run scared. Fear, not
joy commands me, and I will run from you.
Save, in your eyes I see my fear, and love
destroys me. Oh my love, my love, I love.
You talked your way into my life a treasured friend
bringing laughter, strength, and understanding
Then one day you left, creating a void no other could fill
As I move through my days once more
like an elusive butterfly, miraculously, you returned
Wishing for more, for which I cannot ask of you
because to another you belong
Content, I now remain letting you flutter in and out of my life.
But know if things could have been different
so would have been our lives
To you this Valentines Day,
I wish, above all, happiness you deserve
freeing you of pain, you hold within memories unforgotten
and someday knowing the love I hold was yours without asking.
Fountain
Thy fountain, shall flow with eager devotion.
From silent ever-lasting moments,
Beautiful memories pressed in time.
Fleeting glances that skip thine heart's motion,
Relinquishing gestures, tender and kind.
Those delicate touches, so quiet, so soft, so true.
Moments, these two destined souls understand.
Come hither, thine heart's key belongs to you.
Burst forth, the gates which encumber, this island.
This sweet wellspring, The fount which avows,
Thine fountains sacramental offering.
composed necessity, two eternal souls en route.
Ties' supplied, continuously replenished.
Thy fountain shall never draw to drought.
Rome
Some day we will visit Rome again.
Brave the awesome summer thunder
to throw coins in the Trevi fountain
and drink espresso in cafes, under
rain soaked sunshades. Watch as the
swallows soar west, over the sunset
of St. Peter’s square. The shadows
of the Coliseum still gather late
afternoon glare. Today, there is only
an antiseptic ward and a kindly young
man who does not know what to say. Rome
waits for now in an unknown mist. Some
other time we will return, you say.
Another time, I promise. Some other day
Surrender
I envy those who are free
Who need not struggle
For I am condemned
Yet hold the key to my irons
Through monochromatic eyes
Their loyalty will never falter
A corset of morals sewn into flesh
Suffocating primal tendencies
For what is love?
But sacrifice and strength
To hold still in the wake of temptation
For in one fluid motion love can cease
So I relinquish these domesticated loins
These which no longer belong to me
O' Ill-fated party
Right from the start
Peg’s wealth gave Bob pause
His pride be the cause
Still he gave his whole heart,
Rather humble of birth
Lack of money the stumble
At first glance he did tumble
She ignored his low worth,
Peg’s openhearted gaiety waited
His empty hand be dreaded
Her patience was shredded
A moment past was fated,
Ending my sonnet I disparage
Given I was born of their marriage
i love you most
no one loves you more than i do
when you wear that silly hat
no one fills with joy like i do
when you look at me like that
i love you when you’re far away
more than when you’re near
i love it when we take it slow
but not so much in gear
i love our lazy mornings
but i still need my career
i love you, yes i do, i love
you but I can’t ignore
the truth that though i love you most
i think i love me more.
My Valentine Past
Two and sixty years my love, our life
Has been one carousel; now my dear
The end seems near; fear not for I am
Here, our feeble hands clasped secure
Four and tenth day my love, we rejoice
Our union in cupid’s ear, and wish you well
Saying, “I’m very proud of you m’darling,”
Then turn away and swig some Carling’s beer
Two minutes of deaf ear… “What’d you sayii?”
You implore to repeat clear, I oblige cause
You can’t hear; you’re comforting hand upon my
Rear, “It’s okay; I am tired of you too m’dear”
Me: my darling, your unholy presence
And you: my darling, my valentine past
The Fear of Love
Sweet clichés fall dripping from my tongue. You
are my honey, my sugarplum, my heart.
And I am a cold coward and untrue,
hiding fear with words, and tearing apart.
Would you know the truth? You scare me; hammer
the heart of me that journeyed in lonely
safety before you taught it to want more.
Why? Why seduce me into this agony,
no longer complete unto myself, but
wanting, needing, surrendering to you?
If this is love, then I run scared. Fear, not
joy commands me, and I will run from you.
Save, in your eyes I see my fear, and love
destroys me. Oh my love, my love, I love.