Love Emeritus

‘I love you’

and its evil twin

‘Luv ya’

how they flow across the tongue

glib but tired half-true habits
drones in need of overhaul

soundless noise

unmeant unheard

invalid password

instinct-blocked from other’s heart

what eager understudy
waits in wings of romance —
love’s more genuine self?

what if?
what if instead I said,
“I cherish you.”

ahh, ‘cherish’ . . .

to hold another dear

take care of

protect

foster

‘cherish’

all-in

naught in safe reserve

Cupid’s sharpest arrow

costing the lover

delighting the beloved

'cherish'

now there’s love’s worthy sub

*  *  *

Selected for publication in the Literary Review,
a journal of the California Writers Club, founded in 1909

"Love Emeritus" and image "Couple on the Beach," Santa Cruz, CA
(c) 2013 by Alfred J. Garrotto