Questions

Silly poems I can write by the dozen,
Funny words and bad rhymes
Playful puns and groaning cliches
But how do I pour out my heart on paper?
Can I write the pounding beat,
         the singing blood,
Into this sterile computer screen?

I fear that you will read my words wrong,
Think I laugh at you, not with you
Think I mean harm, not humor
And my hands tremble at the notion.
Can I write the gentle smile,
         the charmed look,
With letters too perfect for inflection?

My tongue has been too long stilled,
Aching to speak your name
Needing to sing your praise
Now the words burst juicy
         like pomegranate seeds,
Will you taste and name it sweet?

I love you more than words could ever say,
Now and forever, in sickness and in health
In poverty and wealth, good times and bad
Whether giddy, angry, sad, or silly.
How can any mere poem,
         though masterpiece it be,
Embrace the awesome joy of loving you?

But try I must, to tell you this:
I loved you always, since we met
I will love you always, to my grave
L’amour eternel is not just a pretty phrase.
When I am no more than dust
         and faded marble headstone,
Will you still feel my love for you?

I would shine on you like the sun.
Warm you to your bones
Light your world with joy
Can you ever know the strength of my love,
That soothes away your tears,
         dissolves your rage in sweetness,
That will not let me refuse to love you?

My heart was thine from moment one,
To cherish in cupped hands
To destroy in a careless blow
Do you know how much you own me?
Have I said too much,
         given you knowledge of power,
To command me as you will?

I do not care.
I love you as you are
I love you for all you can become
No matter what the fickle future may bring.
Whether the days are sweet or bitter,
         whether you are kind or cruel,
I love you without question.