The Past

it bites more than just my own heels
it snaps at loved ones and brings back
the strangest of feelings

…

all i can say right here
and right now

is that i’ve never been so sure

i’ve never understood love and relationships

until i survived hell with you

and now i know

i know what love does

and is

and i know

without over reaching cliche

that i love you

the sound of beauty in the forest

the provider of shade in the heat of day

the changer of colors from summer to fall

my growing leaf

you are a treasure

and i’m not giving you up.


i have a strong, flourishing tree to take care of

and a dead burned-to-the-root sapling to dispose of

failed gardens of years past
won’t haunt us now

the forest ahead of us is too beautiful
pruned and well taken care of
to be fearful now

so rest in where we are headed
and sleep sweetly