Inspired by Pablo Neruda

This is from my 2014 collection "Metamorphosis," referring to a brief love affair that regrettably ended too soon.

I do not love you in secret.

Rather, I could not love you in secret,

even though I tried.

I love you on the tip of my tongue,

in my scrawling hands,

in my whirling mind,

where my most beautiful stories lie.

I love you in the depths of my heart,

and with every ounce of passion I possess.

I love you with the hope of Eternity,

and the prayer of acceptance.

I love you despite the years between us,

or the hours when we’re apart.

I love you in the secrets you keep

locked away behind your eyes.

I love you without knowing how or why

God has torn us apart.

I love you even though

I know I may never earn

your loving gaze again.