Of Love

A feeling of euphoria,

a woman and a rose,

a long, committed, partnership,

of love the husband knows.

A tenuous and abstract thing,

of love he understands,

or thinks he does until they

put a baby in his hands.

A tiny girl in tatted lace

has brought him to his knees,

she grips his heart with fear

at every cough and baby sneeze. 

She calls to him in silent nights,

the deepest sleep defeats.

She holds his breath in hostage ‘till

he knows her heart still beats.

Behold the hulking man of men,

of beastly, manly powers,

who’s brought to tears by tiny fists

with gifts of mangled flowers.

A feeling of euphoria, 

a little girl, a rose…

a dirty face, a messy kiss,

of love the father knows.

~Dean Neighbors~