While seeking the best of Life's offerings,
We tend to overlook the simple things --
The rose's essence that fills us with awe,
The first daffodil that braves winter's thaw

A fledgling's ventures are deemed simple things,
But how grand a sight when they spread their wings
And take to the air on their maiden flight,
Soaring and darting like wild beams of light

A night bird may chant just a simple tune,
But lovers lying 'neath the refulgent moon
Sense the enchantment in that divine hour,
And soon Love's voice flaunts its seductive power

With what magnificence the setting sun
Makes its grand departure when day is done;
A display worthy of admiration,
Just as the moon . . . a poet's inspiration

Among the simplest, yet most cherished things
Are the jewels of a poet's imaginings;
And Love, precious Love that gives Life its worth
Grants us a faint glimpse of Heaven on Earth

Whatever your preference, let us lay claim
To Life's awesome gifts . . .  too many to name;
Your caste matters not - wealth or poverty,
Life's simplest, yet most precious things are free

So let us keep watch with vigilant eyes,
For Life's true wealth often wears a disguise;
From a branch he calls home, the robin sings,
For he knows the value of simple things

That Love is heaven no one can deny,
But heaven proves to be a lofty goal,
For Love has shown that it can cheat and lie,
Causing our world to spin out of control

But frivolous Love is better than none,
(You need only ask a love-famished heart)
Though viewpoints may clash, when all's said and done
The heart's decisions are not always smart

Without Love, life will go on as before,
The rising sun will announce the dawn;
And when the moon paces their bedroom floor
The aggrieved hearts simply cry out "Begone!"

And without Love seasons still come and go,
Callous Spring comes strewing her flowers;
Oddly, Autumn's leaves, trampled 'neath the snow
Chronicle many a heart's ill-fated hours

Though frivolous Love may briefly appease
Passion's hunger that gnaws at the heart,
Be warned! Spring's lilacs that dance in the breeze
Also captivate . . . . . and then soon depart

And so goes the story of plans and schemes ---
Frivolous Loves that have failed the test;
But such Love must remain part of our dreams . . .
The search for perfect Love is a fool's quest

I was afraid to get close to you,
Fearing the allure of your arms,
Afraid I'd succumb too readily,
Unable to resist your charms

I was afraid that your kiss might hold
A thrill I could never forget,
Afraid my loving you would become
A choice I would live to regret

I was afraid you might be the man
I could easily come to adore,
Afraid you'd beguile me with your love,
And then leave me begging for more

I was afraid you would steal my heart
With your flowery words and rhyme,
Then flippantly cast it asunder
To be lost to the winds of time

Then I thought perhaps I feared too much,
So I granted Love its rightful due;
Love repaid me . . . with tears and regret --
For all of my fears have come true

Love's sentinel faithfully watches
From his balcony in the sky;
He fixates his light on lovers each night ---
O, what joy when two hearts comply!

But tonight the moon agonizes
Upon hearing heart-wrenching cries,
And as his light spills across darkened hills,
Daunting fears cloud his searching eyes

North and south his silver rays scatter
In search of the mournful lovers;
Fearful and distressed he looks east, then west,
Then gasps at what he discovers

A woman laments love's deception
(Too grim even for mortal ears)
And not far away, a man kneels to pray,
Begging pardon for causing her tears

O, careless moon, were you neglectful?
He succumbed to another's charms!
Was he led astray while you looked away?
O please, guide him back to her arms

Though the pain of betrayal is brutal,
Forgiveness lends its healing power
To the one who strayed . . . . while the heart betrayed
Bears the anguish of Love's darkest hour

You say "Let's escape the cares of life,
And together we'll do wondrous things;
Dream along with me . . . what partners we'll be,
Wild and unrestrained, we'll spread our wings"

I say "I'll be daring, not foolish,
We musn't fly too close to the sun;
From Icarus I learned we could get burned,
For some things just shouldn't be done"

When you say you'll take me to heaven,
You mean sky-diving?  O . . . how exciting . . .
Sounds a bit manic, may cause some panic,
And maybe a bit of nail biting

What? Now deep-sea diving sounds thrilling?
Do you mean down to the ocean floor?
What a suggestion!  I have a question:
Have you ever done this before?

Now you're beginning to frighten me,
Isn't it time we both thought this through?
I'm not a coward, but I'm being devoured
By doubt, so here's what we could do:

We could climb that hill and count the stars --
A world of wonders awaits us above;
Or . . .  since it's so late, let's end this debate . . .
Why don't we stay home and make love!

Another day has furled its wings,
Another sun has set,
Another nightbird lilts and sings . . .
Now comes the hour of regret

Now comes the pain of loneliness,
Now comes the dread of night,
Now comes the  gloom of hopelessness
Without Love's glorious light  

Without Love's star to guide my way,
Without Love's ecstasy,
Without Love's  bliss to fill my day
I'm bound by Fate's decree

I'm bound by endless misery,
I'm bound by drear surrounds,
I'm bound by the cruel certainty
That anguish knows no bounds