Our Valentine Tree

Our Valentine Tree

We fell in love on Valentine’s Day.

The minute you laughed I knew.

I was destined to be yours, my love,

And I would be blessed with you.

We planted our special tree that year.

We cleared away the snow.

You insisted our love would always be strong

And you wanted the whole world to know.

You’re in my thoughts again, my love,

I imagine you under our tree.

Remember all the pledges we made,

And the passion between you and me?

The years passed by rather fast,

Then our kids were grown and gone.

We were there in our empty house,

Still together but each all alone.

My heart grew hard and I forgot our tree,

I insisted it blocked my view.

I was determined to chop it down,

Without even telling you.

It was early morning on Valentine’s Eve,

When I approached our special tree.

I was shocked and pleased with what I saw,

Then ashamed of the heart in me.

Instead of the tree being stark and bare,

Pink and red covered the tree.

Valentines and notes from all our years,

Proclaimed your love for me.

My love had been erratic.

There was little that I could boast.

But you were there as you always were,

Just when I needed you most.

My dreams and heart were renewed, my love,

By the valentines that covered our tree.

There was only one thing I could say,

“I’m glad you married me!”

I miss all you gave, my love,

And the tenderness you showed to me.

I want our love to be clear each year,

 As I hang valentines on our tree.

I'll Choose to Burn the Ice Away

I’ll Choose to Burn the Ice Away

Why is it so hard to love you?

My cold heart snuffs the flames.

I want to respond with tenderness and love,

And call you sweeter names.

Why do I let the storm win out?

My blood rushes to my ears.

I want to demonstrate my love for you,

And gently wash away your tears.

Why do I disregard the condition of my heart?

My priorities have always come first.

I want to show you how important you are,

And satisfy love’s growing thirst.

Why do I wait to prove my love is true?

My motivation to love has been weak.

Yet I’m still the man you chose to wed,

I can give you the romance you seek.

I’m tired of the excuses I make.

My love lies dormant inside.

I’ll choose to lead my heart back home,

And forget my foolish pride.

I will choose to think good things of you.

Sparks of romance will turn to flames.

I’ll be thoughtful and you’ll feel loved.

Our love will never be the same.

I’ll wake in the morning with thoughts of you.

My warmth will seek you out.

And all the questions I once had,

Love will erase each and every doubt.

If you, too, choose to stir the embers,

The flames will reach the sky.

For love that learns to burn again,

Grows sweeter as time goes by.

Love Changed Me

Love Changed Me

I was running fast and free,

Trying to keep you far away.

Somehow I lost my point of view.

On our first date I wanted to kiss you.

Because love inspired me.

You said you had a cold but I said it was okay.

I could wait for yet another day.

You wanted to text during finals of my senior year.

I could not risk failing so I refused.

But love taught me.

By the lake in the heat of summer I proposed.

It was too soon and I needed to be patient.

I don’t remember who it was

That declared I was not good enough.

But love improved me.

Your leg is draped across my legs.

Last night tender words were said.

You took up space I reserved for me.

But I enjoyed sharing my bed.

Love captured me.

Your smile was the last thing I remember

From our wild and perfect night,

During our wedding some things went wrong,

But all the things that mattered went right.

Because love filled me.

There are those who thought our love shoudn’t be.

Time will erase all their doubts, if I love you tenderly.

Love changed me.