COLOR OF LOVE

I discovered the color of red wrapped around a button of chocolate.

I discovered you wrapped in an autumn sunset seated under a leafless tree

And cautioned my heart to avoid the flagrant scent of florid passion.

But you had such a vibrant smile that could heal many dark days.

So I smiled back and looked into your warm brown eyes with such envy;

For they offered every comfort, every tenderness unquestionably

Willing to prove my apprehension unfounded, my suspicions silly

Just for my smile…what wealth you gave for a thing of stunted value!

I could not find a place to secure the magnificence of your happiness

Which was unnerving, as I feared its influence and my wanting it.

Our friendship grew in spite of my reluctance to get involved again;

But you were like a gentle battering ram knocking down my walls

Brick by brick, ignoring my arguments, protestations and blue stories.

You knew I had resigned myself to being the martyred prey of love.

I had vacated all reds for the blue-blacks of depression and mourning.

Even when I flinched away demanding you not brand me with your touch

You wore patience like armor … it never rusted as I watched you cry.

All of my senses betrayed me one by one as you slowly introduced me

To the taste of your lips, the caress of your fingers, the heat of your desire.

When did I believe your promises? 

When did you become part of my smile?

When did we consummate heartbeats and breed into the other?

It doesn’t really matter does it? 

Imagine my surprise to find myself suddenly living in all the colors of love!

And when I told you that I loved you, you simply smiled saying, “yeah I know”.