Love's Grievings Poem by Lonnie Hicks

I have loved you from afar
my hands
reticent
even as they longed to hold you.

I have adored you
but could only employ these eyes
to convey
the smell of you enticing
making me dizzy
and I melt

in the sound of your voice
your body standing
your face
your mouth
your voice
all
compelling me
as I suppress
the anguish
that would be
Loves' Devotion
against
my rival's
Love's excitement.

You chose him

in high school;
foot ball star
and I
retreated
sure in time
you'd see
Love Everlasting
supersedes
Love
Fleeting
yet I waited
through your first
Grieving-Hood
and beyond
as you second choose
Mr. Nice Guy
who turned out to be
Mr. Boring
who loved
money and property
more than you
whose heart faded and
expired
in the Pursuing.
And now

you look at me
as I quash my resentments
my thoughts of Mr.Third Choice
inventing
excuses for you
and lack-luster
you only offer
me
your Grieving Shoulder
your train of mistakes
your self-doubting
and I, ever the
Unappreciated Lover,
cannot but
offer my heart
even as I understand
you are Settling.

It is not love sometimes
we must pursue
but the taking care of
those in need;
our Brother's Wives
widowed
and our own love's
past grievings.