Back Then

Back then, I couldn’t look at you-
At least, not very long
I’d only take a glace or two
And hope it wasn’t wrong-

The awe that I could not explain
So haunted me back then-
I held inside the secret pain,
Afraid to look again.

Now countless times the world has spun-
I’ve loved and lost and grown,
And thought about that special one
Who somehow set the tone.

Just beautiful, a simple thing-
That’s all around to see.
And yet the beauty you would bring
Would show it all to me.

Strange that after all the years
A simple second chance-
To look at you without my fears-
The miracle love grants.

John H. Bidwell