love stood by the roadside
brow-beaten, weathered, unshaved
held a cardboard sign
with its parameters engraved

"I can conquer all", it said
but to read, no one did stop
coins collected at its feet
darkness covering its crop

love rested on a park bench
yet to slumber tho it was weary
an elder woman came to sit
love made room still she was leary

chose to stand and throw birdseed
to the pigeons and the crows
pensive glances, longing wishes
love did sigh and then arose

love looked back refelected in the mirror
was not summoned so did not speak
images clouded in condensation
wiped uncovered, its intended choosing defeat

choosing to face the day without it
teeth were brushed and face was scrubbed
stared into each others' pupils
yet and still love was unmoved

love lay lost and restless in a rubble
sodden with swamp and infected with death
one day discovered and returned to its owner
dried, embraced and kissed by a child's breath