Love poetry by Wayne Leman

Our Evening Walk

Evening shadows fall across our path
as hand in hand we take our sunset stroll.
The quiet pines exude their cleansing scent,
refreshing tired body, mind, and soul.

Across the lake a loon's cry breaks the spell
of silent words we've spoken as we walk.
The years have kindly mellowed you and me
and what we share in quiet and in talk.


Growing Steady (a sonnet)

I loved you with a love I thought could shield
us from each passing storm that came our way.
And yet no matter how much we had steeled
ourselves against the wearing winds of fray,
we were not galvanized against the rust
that creeps upon us after every rain.
So how can we unearth our bedrock trust
while raindrops fall corroding us with pain?

I anchor to that bedrock, stayed within
the tide of feelings' fickle ebb and flow.
I bind the tide of my love to the vow
we said must take us through the thick and thin.
Decisions dictate what the heart will know:
the love I gave you then I give you now.

w.l. 2/95


She Walks Upon My Memory

She walks upon my memory now
just as she did upon that path
some twenty years and more ago
when we began to walk and laugh
together. Too soon we parted ways
and I, disgusted with myself,
still shy, departed and kicked stones.
But she walked, too, and wisely said,
"It's better to kick pine cones."

"Pine cones!" I thought, "She must like trees,
like me." Intrigued, my young heart hopped.
Relieved I had another chance
to show her that I cared, I stopped
and asked her, "May I write to you?"
And she said, "Yes," and her address
was anchored in my memory.

She walks upon my memory still,
and pine cones still are special.
They garnished her wedding bouquet,
and turn our eyes toward each other
when we walk down a path today.

w.l. 4/26/94


The Flame

Firelight flickers on your face
as your dancing eyes embrace
an old flame.

w.l. 3/95


Twilight Song and Dance

Just below our eaves the wind chimes
five notes for the windsock tethered
not far away. Its weathered throat
dances to the songs and climbs
the breeze, one color for each note:
yellow, green, blue, orange, and red.
Of the latter two Mother would quote,
"These are colors which can't be wed."
But we don't think of clashes tonight
as we intertwine our fingers.
Nor do we light the lamp, but let
the house darken in the twilight,
and listen as the five notes linger
and the windsock dances silhouette.

w.l. 10/20/95


Seascape

Drawing
   me
Sketching
   an oceaned meadow
   where innocents
   run free
Painting
   a friendship
   which swells with care
   and integrity
Chasing
   a wave of joy
   that frolics froth
   upon the sand
   then calms
   leaving
   pure white memories
   on the shore.

w.l. 10/27/97

Content

Content within the comfort
of your love
I rest
inside your constancy.

And lest
I miss the sparkle
that is you
I turn to look

within your eyes
and find the glow
that warms my heart
and tells me I'm so
glad that I found
you.

(Valentine's Day poem to my wife, 1999)

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