Love

Is working and living with a family in their restaurant
Slowly falling in love with their daughter
But despite being there for 4 years
Never telling her your true feelings

It is taking bushwalks and going to the movies
Wanting, yearning for some contact with the woman you love
Taking so much pleasure in the simple brushing past of hands
But never extending yours to take hers

It is watching while she has boyfriends come and go
It is taking her to dancing classes as her friend and partner
It is helping her with her art
But all the while keeping your secret

Love is moving away to another place
And losing contact with the woman you love
It is e-mailing her on her birthday and Valentines Day
because that is the only contact details you have for her

It is praising her work as an artist
Watching her grow and mature
And receiving the plaudits of her peers
It is going to her exhibitions
Even though she is not there

It is thinking of her every day and night
And then after 15 years apart
It is seeing her in a crowded supermarket
and feeling the beat of your heart quicken
and hearing angels singing in your ears
For you have seen her, in person after so long

It is a gentle kiss on the cheek
A warm embrace
It is taking those few seconds
And wishing they could last forever

It is polite conversation
And having to say Goodbye

Love is Pain
Love is Joy
Love is an unstoppable force
Love is still not telling her how you feel
but leaving that short moment after so long
and promising yourself it won't be the last