Love Poems

or something like that

I snapped this picture several years ago on a walk the day after Valentine’s Day. A bright red foil heart, discarded in heartbreak or dropped in a moment of passion? My answer always depends on my mood.

I’ve gone through many opinions about Valentine’s Day. Loved it as a child. Chocolate and shiny red heart-shaped stickers? Sending handmade valentines to my loved ones? What wasn’t to love? In junior high there was nervous anticipation. Would I get a valentine from the person I liked? Or would I get one from someone I would be mercilessly teased about? In high school I so hoped my current boyfriend would remember or that my unrequited love would surprise me with a symbol that they noticed me too. Then I got over Valentine’s Day. It was silly and pointless and commercial. Most of this distaste was simply rebellion and past trauma. But now, I’m happy to say that I’m back to my childhood love of chocolate and red and telling people I love them.

So, when I was asked to read some poems at a pop-up art show on the theme of love last week, I said yes. And it was so much fun! I had a great time, despite my body deciding it was nervous part way through. Those knee-bumping shakes are real. 😝 There’s something about reading poetry up front that feels so much more personal than reading a story aloud. But I’m hoping some practice reading poetry will calm my nervous knees down over time.

With that, here are the four untitled poems I read.

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Poem One

We danced
on the train tracks
two stories 
above the ground

Hugged by the
navy midnight
Breathing each other
and the thick scent 
of railroad ties

Then we sunk to the ground
sitting pressed against 
the trestle wall
our fingers still dancing

And you told me your dreams
until I couldn't stand
to do anything
but kiss you
and become part of them

---

Poem Two

I thought I'd try you on
So I slid into your brand new
And asked 'is this me'?

The trifold mirror replied
Yes! No. Maybe?

So I wore you out
And you were soft
And comfortable

But sometimes
the tag scratched

And then I changed,
Again

Fittingly,
You did too

Stretched and worn
we parted slowly, 
unraveling

I thought I'd try you on
Instead, we broke each other in

---

Poem Three

I fight love
afraid it will win
and leave me
bereft of skin
My raw heart
beating blood
to nothing but bone
and muscle no longer 
willing to lift itself
from this bed
and these sheets
that still hold
your warmth

---

Poem Four

Ticket my heart
because it falls
in love too fast
again and again

with the mountain roads
and cross-country drives

filled with potato chips
and chocolate goodies
long conversations
and silly jokes

and you
and you
and you

---

You may recognize that last poem from this month’s February Poetry Adventure. If you want to check out some of my other poems from this month, and the poems of other poetry Adventurers, you can find them in the post I linked above. :)

I hope this season finds you enjoying chocolate and something vibrant and red, letting those you love know they are loved, and knowing that you are loved.

Love you, Petra ❤️

P.S. The days have been full, we’re getting over illnesses, and book things are moving a bit slowly. Hence the delayed newsletters. But I will be sending one out in March. 😀

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