waiting to live

Once, someone asked me what love means:

Not the dictionary definition,

But what I think love means.

I’ve been searching for the answer ever since,

Every time I’ve thought I understood love

It has called me to grow, to evolve,

To become stronger, wiser, and more kind

Than I thought possible.

In times of weakness,

Love has humbled me with its abundance.

Sheltered me in its resolve, 

Cloaked me in its fearlessness,

And bathed me in its redemption–

That it would even shine itself

On the distorted, shambling creature

That blossomed from my suffering.

I wandered the long night of doubt,

Searched for relief in all the wrong places,

And stumbled into the candle of love

With its foolish, innocent, majestic faith.

Though now I walk straight,

Proud for my love, and shining

Through myself with its colors,

I long to share my favorite one.

Now I understand at least

I may never be able to answer that question,

Yet the question itself was the greatest gift 

I’ve ever received.