We Still Have Love... Poem by RIC BASTASA

we start with the tradition of life
we begin as bodies
tasting the fire of the flesh
savoring each moment
of skin and bones
and hair

time has a crucible
it tests us
about what we are
what are our intentions
what is in our hearts

our bodies are taken
the flesh weakens
the fire subsides
the skin loosens from the hold of the bones
the bones crack
the hairs have fallen
into surrender

we have become mere minds
intangible intentions
our hearts lose the sounds of the drums of life

we have no more hands to hold with each other
we have become the wind
we breathe into each other
the love that shall then be forgotten

we have become the sighs of the earth
into the darkness of its nights

what then my love? must we transcend the havoc that life
has caused upon us?
tomorrow, the eyes of death shall stare at us

we must decide
let not any stone of earth
be disappointed

we still have love
beyond and above.