A Late Valentine’s Day Poem

(After Ella Wheeler Wlcox)



Love speaks:
in the youthful flush of the first true kiss 
in the shy averting eye that hesitates 
to take this beautiful moment in
without fainting.

Love speaks
In the silent reserve 
of the heart’s tremble
the still and ache 
of hidden emotions

Love speaks
in the ghosting of nearness
the unshed tears that  fears
 the  expressing of joy
that the breast barely contains.

Love speaks
in the humble spirit
that traces the tender light
that falls on the contours 
of their lover’s face.  

Love speaks 
in the wild words of purple poesy
that heightens the fire
the lightning and the mighty storms
that speaks the untrue truth
hidden in the 

delight  
pain
madness
bliss
the rapture.