Allow me, if I may,
To consider the essence of love,
And the fullness of a heart
Caught longing,
Even though consumed,
With desire burning deep within.

I have loved my God,
Deeply and fully,
But not as valiantly as I might.
I have loved my children,
Hopefully,
As they now love their own.

I have loved sunrise and dusk,
And all that lies between;
Loyal pets,
Springtime and lovely fall,
A meal shared with friends,
And the sun setting on a wheat field,
Just before the harvest.

I have treasured the goodwill of others,
And every opportunity to do the same;
Soldiers and clergymen,
Nurses and nuns,
Teenage lovers
With shallow breath and loving moan.

I love my wife,
Fully, consistently, and I hope
Forever without fail.
I love her with every breath I draw,
Each morning,
And in the dead dark of night.
I love her as the angel she is,
A selfless creature that cannot be imagined;
Hoped for, but rarely known.

I love this life,
Even the sorrow and pain,
For it is a gift unlike any other,
Lessons to learn,
Sadness yielding to a greater good,
And knowing that when all is done,
I will rise into the stars,
And will marvel at the chorus of angels,
There to welcome me home.