What Love Learns Too Late

(What I Learned By Not Being Chosen)

Introduction

I had reached out clumsily, asking her to consider something serious.
Her reply came with the raw honesty of someone who has built her own garden from broken ground.
Her words were clear, vociferous, and bursting with the warrior strength it takes to guard a wounded heart.

There are moments in life when desire outpaces wisdom —
and this was one of mine.

This poem came from the silence that followed.
The first voice is hers.
The second is mine.

This is for the brave and the broken.

For those who know the sweetness of honey, even after the sting.

Poem

So you sipped a little wine,
and thumbed a few pages.

Got drunk on my lines,
And you’ve been persuaded.

What can I say, I’ve heard it before,
You’re not the first fool to knock on my door.

We have this connection, and sure you are nice,
But with so many hoops,
I suggest you think twice.

You will never understand the strength it took,
Or the tears I shed when writing my book.

My spine was splintered and my pages were torn,
See for yourself how my cover is worn.

The fruit in my basket was bitter and tart.
I’ve only just rekindled the sweet flame in my heart.

So I’ll say this once. Let it be known.
My heart belongs to me. My heart is my own!

I fought fiercely hard for the life I adore,
And I am fucking done with picking my heart up off the floor!

My sweetheart, I hear you.
What words can I say?

A punnet of bitterness,
I’ll eat every day.

I’ll give you my Springtime,
My April, my May.

For you were a Summer,
A light in our shade.

Wander in orchards,
May your journey be sweet.

With the ripest of pears
to fall only at your feet.

You’ve sown your own seeds,
Feast as you like.

They are the fruits of your labour,
Savour every delight.

Thank you for the abundance that garnished my yard,
Their sweetness revived what the darkness had marred.

You planted your care like a seed in my guard,
It ripened my hope through a world singed and scarred.

Now I have bounty that blossomed so hard,
Watered by love that once caught me off guard.

A glorious meadow where children can thrive,
Just next to some bees and a magnificent hive.

It's noisy sometimes,
But the honey is so sweet.

And I am happy to share,
If you'd care to eat.