I have tasted love,
bitten into its sweetness,
devoured its bitterness
chewing it
swallowing it
sometimes choking on it
digesting it.

I have touched love,
grabbed it by the hand
and pulled,
only to be let go
stumbling backwards
falling into that dark black hole
crawling back up
knees scraped and dirty
standing up again.

I have seen love
and all of its beauty
eyes wide open
only to be blinded
by its hurt and betrayal
so I have learned
to wear sunglasses.

I have heard the voice of love,
whispered words
a melodic song
a poet’s sonnet
then suddenly deafened
by words I never wanted to hear.

I have walked through its light
and its darkness
arriving on the other side
alone and scared,
knees shaking,
head spinning,
heart breaking
gut wrenching sorrow
deep inside my soul
taking baby steps
stepping forward
stepping back.

I have lived through the pain of love
And that is why
I will love again.

Debra Parrish
2/26/05