I know love by how the tears
glistened in my mother's face
as I came home crying one day

I know love by how a passing
stranger changed a fellow stranger's
life with just one look of sympathy

I know love by how a beggar feeds others
before feeding himself despite his
insides telling him to live for himself

I know love by how a young girl
overcame the mean kids in school
with her kind words knowing she did not
deserve it all

I know love by how my best friend  
desperately stopped my hand
from pulling the trigger
gun, pressed coldly to my head

I know love by how you
whisper sweet melodies
in my ears
as I write
this poem for people
to see love everywhere