love magnified

What is this strange and messy uniting of souls unmet?

Some intertwining of dangling, trampled heart-strings,

Woven and braided and tucked into fleshy pockets.

A network of human suffering; the world is small.

Pain and fear and throat muscles drawn taut become a lens

Illuminating love.

Every compassionate response flashes neon

And tears fall in gratitude, releasing anxious worry –

The salty brine washing wounds of fear.

I long for easy days of games and conversation light,

But while I hold this lens of love and pain,

I’ll memorize your image seen in glory.