endurance
A poem on love: resisting hardening and erosion, and accepting its undeniable nature as our ultimate sustenance.
do not fret
do not be dimmed
into paralysis
deceived into starvation
when love is fruitful
said to be patient
hoped to be kind
but take heed of these
fruits we bear
for our spirit to suffice
there is much to learn
of forbearance and faith
from the choiceless life
fragile, sincere
yet immune to fear
despite the seasons and strife
the endurance behind buds
beyond their size
the sweet, the tender
the seeds, the rind
the who and when
does the ripe spare to dine
sprouts are slow to rise
and still rise to sometimes never
in submission to truth under
blameless rules
indifferent to stumbling fools
when purpose perseveres
past chance
to become a timer
in stilled water
a snack for the thin
among impartial elements
stripping color, curling skin
paving one path
winnowing the lies
the undermining
paying tithe
protecting the process
preserving pride
and besides a feat
of merely growth
and getting old
such is the sight of hope
made worthy between
the soil and the sky
an encounter
for one passing by
who may need
a reason to try
and after enough of yours
one, two, or all too much
you will see the fear left behind
in once upon a time
as a fight already won
and never not
when roots run deep
in familiar direction
trusting the sun
thanking the rot
your soul calls home
with no apology
and doubt dissolves
in all there is to keep
by reaping what you sow
and sowing what you reap
as to be free is to be loved
as if already lived
through its proof
and loving like death
is but a form of wilt
and not to lose
here you’ll come to find
life abides by the seasons
and seasons know their time
yet in the end
what sustains is love
and therefore
it is kind.
