learning to say i love you, anew,
as if studying a foreign language,
cautious and humble.
words begin, not as words,
as sensation in my body
warm, soft, rushing flushes,
when you are near,
magnetic desire
to be close
to touch
to absorb
to immerse.
the words, still not words,
a glowing pulse
rising up from the earth between us
into my roots
into my chest
into my throat.
the words, still not words,
too tender to speak
express instead
through my eyes
my lips
my non-verbal tongue
my hands
express in opening
to receive
and to listen
to know you
to share
to dance with you.
i am learning new definitions of love,
after all these years,
after abuse co-opted love’s meaning and purpose,
after i abandoned trust in myself and others.
i am learning now
how to allow love to grow
at love’s pace
emergent
slow
adaptive
wild
plural.
i am learning, also, patience,
compassion.
i am learning to consider all the ways
i already communicate my love.
do you hear it?
do you feel it?
do you see it?
do you smell and taste it?
i am learning to trust
when the moment is ripe
i will sing the poetry
of our love out loud.
Everbearing 