love, it's such a fragile thing
and yet so very strong
for me, it's like luminous pearls
each suspended on a string

and every lighted pearl is for
a person that I have loved
but each one of them is separate
and complete within itself

each love in my life has been
but a moment
held like a butterfly
checked for but a second

from its upward flight
the second's soon over
and the butterfly soars away...

then I am left with empty fingers
and a heart full of pain
still...for that one brief moment
I have loved and shared

and so I try yet one more time
for the love that's everlasting
add one more moment's pearl
on to my knotted string

Innocence

I remember innocence
from what seems long ages ago
and faith and hope...
and a belief in love

and as the long years have gone by
I have watched each of these
slip through my small hands...
swirled away like grains of sand
lost in the outgoing tide

when I think of those things
parts of me that are lost
I feel a sadness for that young woman
who had so many hopes and dreams

and I know....
to survive inside myself
I have to let those memories go....

Before

I've been here before, I think
Or was it reversed,
With me on the other side?

Was it you, who said, No...its me
Or was that an echo
Resounding through my head?

Was it not I who spoke?
Repeating old lines once
To save myself and my heart?

Funny how you hear other voices
Saying words that you have said
Spoken through years of confusion.

Burned hand knows best they say
but is it fear you feel
Or is it just me you regret?

Oh.....and
I've been here before
I think....

Loneliness

Sometimes, when I am alone
I am complete and at peace
I feel a contentment
steal over me
driving the shadows away

Being alone, does not always mean
that one is lonely.
There have been many times
through my life
when I have been more lonely

when you are with that one...
that special one in your life
but you feel the distance
you are more lonely
then when you are by yourself

or you have someone you love
who is always elsewhere
And you endlessly wait
Never knowing
when you will see them again

and family can be all around
each with their loves and lives
and you are the solo one
no children
or loving spouse to call your own

Maybe, 'tis best to be alone
with no expectations of more
no heart to be broken
no false hopes
and one can find peace in that

© Jasmin