Dear beloved,
you purse your lips
and angrily avoid
comfort’s kiss
Dear beloved,
your haughty stare
creates greater longing
for weather fair
To soothe your ire
I’ll dance and sing
proclaim myself fool
if you’d let laughter ring
I’ll use my charms and all beguile
so honestly come and stay a while
Tell me the thorns that prick your heart
so gingerly, I can pry apart
the darkness curtaining a smile of sun —
dearly loved and harder won.
On a wintry night, I lay my hand against your cheek
And told you a fairy tale my grandfather once read to me.
In that forgotten memory, he sparks to life once again.
A bittersweet joy rouses in my heart,
Makes rich the honey of my words,
Provokes the desire to hold you carefully in comfort;
To adore you as he simply once adored me —
That giving reserved only for children,
And although we no longer laugh so freely
I press my palm to yours
And in the silence know, our heart lines have met
And embraced each other.
Sometimes I wonder if you are well
I hope that you are thinking pleasant thoughts
But when I come into your presence
I can ask no questions but only hope
That I give you solace and leave no burden
RED GLADIOLA 