Love Her Wild: Poems

We let our lives
mix with our dreams
like two colored paints
until we didn’t know
which was what
and we didn’t care.

What of the firefly,

the one I love to chase?

The old man smiled

Love her

he said

but leave her wild,

and the old oak tree I love to climb?

Love her, he said, but leave her wild

the bird that sings that song I love?

Love her, he said, but leave her wild

and the wolf that cries to the old joke moon?

Love her, he said, but leave her wild

and the horse that loves to run with storms?

Love her, he said, but leave her wild.

And what of her,

the one I love most?

And the old man smiled.

Yes, he said,

you must love her too

but love her wild

and she’ll love you.

waiting to stand to the world

masks down

and say loudly and boldly

this is us

this is our truth

this is everything real about me

and when that day comes

if it is true

we will begin our lives again

the way they were intended

when the world first

saw our face.