how DO i love thee?

Its a familiarity that with skilful subtlety
Flakes away at the hostility of my weary days
Lifting the weight of self inflicted pessimistic beliefs.
Not the intimacy of raging lovers
Who’s inflated veins ooze their fiery newly found infatuation
Taking them from sullen earth to between crisp imminent sheets.

Its veteran hearts speaking of the letting go’s
Of the holding on’s, of the years we’d like to forget
And of the dreams we’d kill to attain.
Not the whisperings of oh-so-sweet NOTHINGS,
Of thin promises that are worn out by mere time
And elaborate declarations of unconditional love.

Its a charming comfort that allows me sing out loud,
scoff down a messy meal, pitifully slumber in my own revolting dribble
And wooze through my swollen-faced mornings.
Not a ‘first date’ ambiance of sensual smelling necks
Trembling soft lips, thoughtfully placed hands
And deadly locking of animated eyes….

The kind of love that wants to hold you close – not to hold you down.
The kind of love that wants to shield you -  not to stand in your way.
The kind of love that feeds your soul – not demand your heart.
The kind of love that knows when to take a step forward
And surely, when to walk away.