i
Roll love
on your tongue:
roll it nicely
round&round
until it becomes 
slick with familiarity

slide it further
to the tip of tongue
till it almost reaches
the edge, let it hang
hang 
            with heaviness

but at the last minute
flick it back up
to touch the roof of mouth
stick like gum,
a reminder of its existence

scrape gently,
careful now
to remove it
and place it in a jar:
hear the brittle clinking 
as it hits the bottom:
now you can 
stare at the specimen
labelled "love:
intended to be preserved 
for life."

     ii
Fold love
twice,
place it in an envelope,
lick and seal it,
tuck it in your pocket,
button and keep it safe:
there's no insurance
for lost love:
you can't claim
it back

so take it 
wherever you go
and show love
how you love love
if you love love.

     iii
Write love
on the wall, on the desk, on a piece of paper,
color it in, like school girls do, 
when they are "in love" -- no harm in it,  
for love -- at least it gets a mention.

      iv
Pull love
off the shelf, 
dust it, and read its yellowing pages:
it has been around
for ages, it waits, patiently
for you to come by, and remember:
bookmark it, 
for future reference.

     v
Take love
out on a date, seduce it 
with words, more words, 	touching it
would not be so bad too, go ahead

take love 
out for a ride, take it's picture
for old times' sake,
you will never regret it.

     vi
Drink love
in its entirety --  its pure form:
it is not toxic -- at least, to some,
one shot, daily,
would do your body good
this time, you can
drink and drive.

     vii
Wash love
with your daily laundry,
it adds color
to anything it touches

see love
whirlwhirl
and spread itself in soapy water
through the washer window

do not worry: it can withstand
cold, heat, detergent, bleach,
it is also machine-washable

hang love
to dry, let it meet the sun,
bask under the holy light,
receive blessing, now you can

wear love.

     viii
Pin love
on your sleeve,
declare it yours:
it is you 
who have found it, lying
by the sill of your window

not the skeptics,
who snicker, poke, gag, and say
"it must be April" --
convince yourself that 
they do not know any better.

     ix
Tug love
at its side, like a child holding on
to the hem of mother's skirt,
bother it to come,
beside your bed

lay love
slowly, down on your pillow,
you will have pleasure
watching it
sleep.

     x
Make love.

 
 
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