Love is a four letter word

by Ondine Evans

What is love?

A soft kiss on my lips,

A firm hand on mine,

A fond word in my ear,

A jump for joy, a stop in time;

A new way to look at life.

What is love?

A tiny hand, a gasp for air,

A new face to look into mine

And beg with no word for food,

Milk, naps, hugs, so much time;

A new way to come into life.

What is love?

The look you gave as I left,

The soft feel of your aged hand

On the firm bed,

The last hug we had, no more time;

A new way to part this life.