He had not known
Nor ever had the need
To know
All the inner pathways
And the pains
Of releasing love
Of the letting go
Of things you wanted only
To press closely to
Your chest,
With fingers folded tightly
Over hearts knowing
Only rest.
He had not known
The stretching out,
The rip
Of love's sudden tearing
As bonds released,
As silken ties
Let slip
Their knotted folds
Of being near
Being one...
When wide separations
Had only now, had merely
Just begun.
And how one's face
Restrained itself;
Only eyes
Showing what lay deep,
Where letting go of love
Softly cries.
And just a quirk of lip.
A half-formed smile
To show
He'd learned the pain of love
And all it takes
Letting go.
Jo Anzalone