Love Was

love was
innocence
first dewdrops in spring
she and I
a new world, wide eyed we came
each step
marking untouched earth
lips sparked together
perfect
gone upon a summer's evening

love was
duty
a steadfast hand in mine
resolute
not by choice, but circumstance
we tried
patience failed as did I
time eroded the space
between us
I lost her in autumn

love is
passion
stealing fire from the sky
dangerous
morning sheets, her scent lingering
her eyes
glitter with starlight
always known but never seen
woman-child
you are my summer sun

12/6/00