If I Never Knew You

Quietly I lie here and take in the scent you left behind on my pillow
A soulless nothing I‘d be without you, a cracked and dry leaf adorning the crying sleeve of the ever weeping willow
I am afraid, for if I never saw you again...never felt your warm embrace...
I’d die slowly, shattered that never again would I enjoy the contours of your beautiful face
The indentation from where you lay is still tinged with your body’s heat
But a crystalline pearl of liquid salt takes hold and makes its way slowly like a lingering ember down my burning cheek
And there you are, your loving hand at my rescue to take away these bitter tears
I am relieved and I feel able to let go at your presence, as only your smile has the power to dissolve my fears
If I never knew you, my heart would beat selfishly this cool spring night
But it’s when you take me in your arms, as you now do, that I know that this is right
And if your heart should ever give rise to wonder, and questions my motive
Know, that only you have been blessed with my most precious, though intangible, votive...