Love Of My Life

I was eighteen

she was nineteen

we dated.

Passionate

short

full of memories.

She dumped me

perhaps it was the shorts

full of holes they were.

I was crushed

for a while

but I moved on.

I did not forget

Nor did she.

Our poisoned love would languish

a year and plus more passed by

she called.

Trouble hanging around

she trusted me

I went to her

she felt safe.

Trouble arrived

showing

on schedule and on time.

I told him to not return or else

I held her close in my arms

that night and several more

she enjoyed my strength

her sense of safety.

We were together again

her place became mine

and soon another became ours.

Time passed and the love grew

the love wained

as love will do

we parted once more.

Returning

once again to Love

repeating the parting

only this time

seemingly final.

Miles of Earth

many states

stood between our Love.

The phone beckoned our hearts

we talked

again and again.

Will you marry me?

I asked on the phone

Yes she replied.

We wed

February 1985

the ninth

before a Judge in

Gaffeny, South Carolina

he was paid

twenty-five dollars.

Wine was shared on the return ride

a small celebration ensued

we loved again

we loved again.

We were young

we became parents

John was first to share the love.

Responsible

nurturing

yes

but not to our love.

Separation

hearts broken

distance once again

between the love.

Love endures so they say

a year passed

another gone by.

We grew

we endured

together again

loving once more.

Love to share

Love to bare

wondrous beautiful love

became known as Nick.

Young and naive

proud we were

unable to nurture

our own Love

once again.

Yes once again

heartache

pain

hurtful words

meaningless days

wasted time.

Once again Love endured

Love rekindled

as a flicker then a flame.

Candles to life

lighting the way

to enlightenment

to joy

to sorrow

the flame waned.

More happiness

more pain.