surrender

I thought I knew love

when I was younger

in the days before life and death

wrote my life like a soap opera.

 

in all those deus ex machina moments

I thought I knew love locked in the mysteries of trust or blindness

where the universe cared about me enough

to keep me from knowing everything.

 

I tripped along heavy footed,

smashing little toes under crushing steps.

I thought I knew love

when hands reached out to steady me.

 

so many times I find

I know nothing

when I think I know everything

’til I thought I knew love.

 

these days I pray for lighter steps,

for hands less grasping and hungry,

for humility before the unknown to teach me

I thought I knew love.

(c) r. l. elke