The Passage of Love
By John Herlihy

Still unloved, ever so unloved,
Fledgling stub in a winter garden.

Unexpected love, every so unexpected,
Like ripe fruit, breaking then falling.

New-found love, ever so new-found,
A bird, in sight of the land at sea.

Little love, ever so little,
With the white feathers of a dove.

Simple love, ever so simple,
Mutual giving, no doubts, only gladness.

Adventurous love, ever so adventurous,
Mountains and valleys, a trek momentous.

Growing love, ever so growing,
A delicate weave in color glowing.

Profound love, ever so profound,
The light of stars that reach earthly ground.

Lost love, ever so lost,
The memory terrible in its intensity, its cost.

I have loved, oh have I loved,
The fog of memory brings to old men a magic spell.

Farewell love, forever farewell,
In my heart, you will always dwell.