all my love

hold it in your hands

careful not to shake it,

that it doesn’t spill out the side

take it up to your ear and listen

do you hear the tears? all the favorite songs and night’s watching the stars? the soft jazz of grandma’s living room dance floor?

can you see the old, withered hands

and crinkled eyes and smile lines

and despite, the players, coaches of a game they knew all too well.

for the people who cheat love, theirs, was so much less to give in the beginning

ever too cruel

for all the love, they selfishly kept.

and for the love you hold

never could an empty promise have been so threatful to a 17 year old

so hold it in your hands

careful not to shake it

to break it,

careful that it’s gentle and tenderly loved

all the love

all my love

– february author