Love Complete

 

for Annie

When I arrive

shipwrecked

on your shores--as I do from time to time--

and the love I haul from the waves

is soaked

barnacled

and cracked…

the cause is in me

and me alone,

my darling,

for you

are perfectly loveable

and deserve

a fleet

with full sails

flags flying

fresh paint

and a cargo of love

complete,

intact,

delivered onto the docks

with gloved hands.

I have been at sea

too long

yet also long enough

to know

you have, too.

It is my prayer

and my intention

now

to keep land beneath my feet

to witness and adore you

in each of your many moments

…every

shift of wind

on the surface of your eyes

the smallest movement

in their depths,

the subtle telling of your own long voyage

that words can’t touch.

No part of you

should be left behind

dismissed, neglected or

partially embraced.

That was done

by others in your past

so that you buried the full treasure of your heart

under dunes, driftwood

and these stones

that, for all the hiding

over many years,

still held sunlight

captive

in dark flecks

like waves at night

do moonlight.

So, we will

go together now

in day and darkness
you and I

digging

carefully

with our hands

until every chest is open

and every jewel revered