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 miracle, a wonder who

can bring him to his knees,

who 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 sloppy kiss--

of love the father knows.