that idealized love
which fuels us
(all of us
in the secret places of our hearts
that we do not admit)
exists
But it is:
not always returned;
not always understood;
not always perfect;
not immune to the ravages
of the mortal coil.
Here is a miracle:
that all of the generations existed
that your mother met your father
and through happenstance
whether sorrowful or beautiful
you existed.
that through all the ages, wars, and devastations
my line of ancestors persevered
and led to me.
that somehow, despite the breadth and width and depth
of the whole of the world
we met.
through some small twist of fate
we might not have been
and yet we are.
Existing to meet,
meeting itself –
a miracle.
And yet
love returned is rare.
Yes, it’s not fair.
But we all know the rules of the game
and the rewards
and the worth behind the risk.
mehryment 