LOVE

                            April 2, 1997
                            by: raven shadowborne ©

                            Love, a four letter word

                            In the past
                            I cursed it.
                            it was not heard, never felt
                            To me, absurd, a fantasy, a joke
                            Something you said, but never felt..

                            Along comes a man
                            quietly he slips
                            past my defenses
                            past my walls
                            past all my doubts and fears
                            He plants a seed
                            deep within me
                            This seed
                            it takes root and grows, deep within my soul..
                            It blooms
                            making me whole, safe, happy
                            Before I know it, I feel
                            that which I never felt before
                            My mind ponders and wonders
                            trying to name it
                            Finally I realize
                            that four letter word
                            the word I cursed
                            Love

                            I fear, I run, I hide
                            I push, I cry, I scream
                            it will not die
                            The struggle continues
                            Finally I yield
                            I open, take it in
                            Embrace it
                            and glow from within..
                            Happy, at peace
                            Feeling whole, complete

                            Love
                            what no one can be without
                            It is quiet
                            It sneaks in, takes root and grows
                            Nurture it, and watch it bloom
                            Finally I have learned
                            feel it, this wonderous burn.
                            Treasure it, this prize many deny
                            revel in it, let the roots run deep
                            and you will find, it is not to be cursed
                            it will not be denied..
                            it will find you
                            it will enrich you
                            so why hide?