Love in the Time of Corona

 

When we shook hands for the first time,

My heart removed his mask,

And rolled over your hand, 

Like an anchor.

I leaned down,

Like a ship that never docked.

I wished all days are pandemic, 

And we quarantine together. 

Forever.

....

I did not love you because you are perfect. 

I know you struggle, like everyone who cares.

Like everyone who chooses to open both eyes.

And tries to connect both sides.

Body and spirit.

Physical and metaphysical. 

Outside and inside.

Ambition and contentment. 

...

I jump and clap when you are able to connect both. 

And hug you when you fail.

Do not whip your spirit, 

If it could not be free from the burdens of your body.

This struggle strengthens you.

Beautifies you.

Keeps you alive,

Makes you human.

...

I wish 

I am happy, not a poet. 

You are my wife, not my muse, 

And we have a baby, not a poem.

But I did not love you in exchange for loving me

I do not love you - a selfish love; 

I do not want to pluck your rose.

I just want to come to the park,

Kneel down 

And water it.

Seeing this rose growing washes my soul. 

...

Look! 

Here, you are, 

At the gates of death, 

You kiss the entrants, 

And advise them to forget you.

....

Oh, merciful virus!

Without love,

Life is worth losing.

.... 

When you came, I did not pull you.

When you left, I did not hold you.

You took your berth, 

And ran away,

With my anchor.

....

Because my love is unconditional; I forgive you. 

Even I do not see anything needs to be forgiven.

Rather, I see everything deserves to be loved.

...

I am not Samson.

Take my hair off my head.

I keep your temple for my prayer.

Take your clothes off my closet. 

I keep your space in my heart.

Take your body off my hands.

I keep your spirit in my soul.

Take your pictures off my phone.

I keep your image in my mind.

Take your books off my shelves.

I keep your voice in my ears.

...

Take whatever you want

You cannot take my love off my heart.

It is my love, not yours.

I will keep it.

I will protect it from your attempts to ruin everything.

Where do you get all this cruelty?

...

I need history to back up my present moment. 

I need a memory to sweeten my bitter days. 

I need to prove to myself. 

Love is possible!