LOVE

This is a new poem, and I’m not thinking about new love here, I’m thinking of love that continues past the 7 year mark. Valentine’s Day is most fun, in my experience, for young kids excited to share cards with school mates. I visited a church in Dublin and waited in line to have a visit with the bones of Saint Valentine, who inspired this celebration. Wouldn’t he be shocked at the retail development since his day. How do you feel about it?

How We Love

I want it to be sweet enough for you

to swallow and want more.

Made-from-scratch pancakes 

sliced peaches, maple syrup puddled on the plate.

Honey-soaked paklava     sweetness softening

any walnuts or difficulties.  Strong coffee 

a chaser, cleansing the palate for more.

Scones surrounded by a moat of strawberries

covered in a cloud of vanilla whipped cream.

Blueberries jam for you, indigo spheres

picked in cool early morning air

heated on the stove with lemon and honey 

for you this morning.

Is it love that keeps you here, or addiction?

A cinnamon snowflake bread

Take Care in these times. Spread some love around, further than you’ve ever spread it before. And I have a post script to this poem. I was in Amherst right after I published this, at the local Trader Joes for groceries. The shop was fill with people buying flowers. The most special moment was in the parking lot. I passed a car of college -aged boys, five of them packed into the car, the ones in the back holding huge bouquets, with looks of delight an anticipation on their faces, laces that shone with youth, hope, and possibility.

elaine