So often we associate love directly with pain.
We accuse it of causing us
Anguish
Damage
Misery.

Irrationally deciding
To never engage
With another being
On this deeper level again.
Convinced
We must avoid such harm.

But wait—
Is this merely a way
To justify the ways in which
We allow our feelings to hold the power?
Consume us
Confuse us and
Take complete control?

Strip down your hurt
Your anger and
Your bitterness.  
You may see clearer
Recognizing
It is not the presence of love that is hurtful.

Rather
The absence of love
The loss of love
The misidentification of love
Igniting these feelings within.

Truth is,
When love is open
Honest
Pure and
Present
It is truly an invaluable treasure.

She smiles every chance she gets Chances are slim nowadays She believed in love and held all close Until she was hurt, now love is nothing more but a distant memory, if I could hold her dear, tightly grasp to keep near, I want to let her know, that faith is not lost, that she can smile again. I'm lost in her eyes while I'm searching for her heart. She is hope.