Collection of Love Poems

My husband's birthday is tomorrow. He will be 45. As his birthday approaches, so too does the anniversary of the day we met. It was the summer before my junior year of high school, his senior year, and he had just turned 18. Do the math, and you'll realize that's 27 years. We got married after the first seven and never looked back. We have a strong marriage, we're both committed and we really love each other. I mean really love each other. Sometimes when I think about it, I'm amazed at how much my love for him has grown even stronger over the years.

Tonight he's out of town, and I never feel totally settled when I get into an empty bed.  A few years back we agreed to create a morning and evening routine so that we would always go to bed together at the end of the evening. We wake up together and go to bed together. Today's blog is a collection of  love poems I've written over the years, all with my husband in mind. They bring me warm thoughts of him to take to bed, so I can fall asleep peacefully (I hope). You'll notice the last two are quite similar, written about waking up together. They were actually written more than a year apart. As I collected the poems for this post, I smiled at the similarity. It's one of my favorite moments in the day. My writing group loved this one I wrote last month as well: I Believe I Would. Tomorrow I'm going to give it to him as a birthday card.

His Hand

His hand

It's been holding mine for years

It held mine on the day we exchanged vows

and it still has the power of comfort and affection, even after 25 years.

Like when he winds a ringlet of my hair around his finger

or tucks my hair behind my ear

Or when he runs the warmth of his hand up my back,

beneath my shirt and touches me skin to skin

I know he is a gentle man.

His hand

It holds my face before he kisses me on the lips,

It holds my hand in a parking lot or during an evening walk

our fingers laced and locked together

His hand heals me.

Like when he rubs out the knots in my shoulders

Or when he puts out his hand as if to say "gimme five"

but he just wants me to put my hand in his hand so he can hold it.

I know this because he's done it for years.

His hand

It lays on my thigh in the car while he drives,

It lays over mine on the couch while we watch TV

and he turns my wedding band in circles around my finger.

His hand warms me.

Like when he picks up my hand randomly and kisses each of my finger tips one by one.

Or when he unapologetically swipes his hand across my rear

even if we're in public or someone else is around.

I know from his hand he still wants me.

His hand

It is so much bigger than mine, with the calluses of a hardworking man

and the touch of a loving husband and father

It cradles and protects mine.

His hand supports me.

The warmth of his skin, the gentle strength in his touch

I love to hold his hand as much now as I ever did

when we walk into someplace strange

when we walk around the block.

Forever, I'll hold his hand.

***

My Love

Ask me how my day was,

and tell me you're happy I'm home.

Kiss me, hold me tight, 

and say you love me.

You are my safe place,

my home, my peace.

My love, 

my one and only

Love

***

Lovers

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

Lovers comfortable together in silence, they

don't need words to communicate. They

meet as one, eyes locked in gaze with resolve.

Somewhere inside there is a familiar reverberation

they're connected, spirit and soul

in search of a song, wandering

Each one knows they heard the tune before

Others listen and see.  It is clear

all the melodies are between them.

Along the harmonious journey, a lovers' song.

***

Early

Soft fingery tickles 

Tender warm caresses

He gently sweeps the wispy hairs from my face

And cradles his thighs beneath my buttocks

He pulls me close and whispers

I love you

Pressing his skin to mine

I can feel his heart

He pulls his fingertips the length of my arm

Each of my tiny hairs stand on end

It is early, I insist with my eyes still closed

He pulls me in closer

A kiss behind my ear

And I feel his love

His early morning affection

My daily vitamin

***

Morning

Warm, delicate cuddles under a hand sewn quilt

on a cool winter's morning

I resist the reflex to open my eyes

and wish away the dawn with every passing snooze

My legs, entangled with his and the sheets

restrain me from the call of the day

My face, his chest, our embrace

I draw strength with each additional minute

Like a charging station

Wrapped up in his arms I draw energy

I have light, I have power, I have music

And he releases me into the day 

I will shine

I will create

I will sing

And I will return again 

to my love