And with the other things now hidden
from the naked prying eyes of others,
who know nothing about the inner yearnings
of my heart & soul & spirit...
I have tucked away my love for you.
It was wrapped so gently & painstakingly
in rainbow-colored tissue paper.
I have no actual memory of taking it out,
albeit wonderingly; of looking at it one last time.
Perhaps with warm tears falling upon it
in my sleepy dream-like state I held it,
turning it over this way & that in my hands...
while the memories of its' soft & gentle
development washed over me
like gentle waves upon the sand at low tide.
It's safe now... this love I felt for you.
All its wonder & magic I have protected
from sadness & the pain of disappointment.
I have wrapped it in a rainbow so to
shield it from anger & hurt,
neglect & age...
Fiery tempers, broken promises & silent
misunderstandings of those who
might storm the gates & walls of my fantasies
can never touch it now.
The clowns will keep it company so it
may not die of loneliness...
& protected by the white knights & princes
it may live without fear of danger
or attack by others who might wish it ill.
They may not break it,
like a shell trodden under the foot
of an uncaring beachcomber wearing heavy boots.
Nor may it be cast away,
like an unattractive piece of driftwood
tossed out into the waves.
And so its' memory may comfort
I have kept it safe & warm...
It may not grow,
inside with no sunlight or laughter
to nurture it.
But it will not die.