…On Poetry and Fiction
Just “One Word” Away (“Love”)
written by: Phyllis P. Colucci
@FictionTarot
One word becomes one idea, becomes one sentence, becomes one poem, becomes one story. It must start from just “one word”. Today my one word is “Love”.
LOVE
She searched for love as if she were searching for a lost child. She called out its name in the lonely darkness, and hoped for a quick response. She ran against the wind as it slapped her face with its stinging fingers, yet she continued on with the roar and strength of a lioness. She ran aimlessly in search of something she couldn’t see or touch. All she knew was that something was lost, and she had to find it. She left her family behind in order to search for whatever was missing in her life…She licked the salt from her quivering lips as the tears of her soul streamed down her cheeks. She ran on, however, with no compass, no map, no direction, no plan. She just screamed out for love to answer her. Yet, only her voice echoed in the night. Her heart shattered by another failed attempt.
She soon turned around and made her way back home, only to find that which she had been searching for all along. It was right in front of her. It waited for her. – Her sweet dog greeted her at the door as his tail wagged wildly. Her children ran to her as she cuddled them in her arms. Her husband prepared dinner and poured her a glass of her favorite wine. There was music on the radio, sounds of a television in the background which no one watched, roses on the counter, and a table set with mismatched dishes. Everything was in chaos. The napkins, glasses, knives and forks were strewn about as if a hurricane had hit the kitchen. The children ran around, and played and screamed with no restraint, while she tripped over the toys that were in her path. She looked around and simply smiled at the disorder that captured her heart. She became whole again. It may have been disguised in chaos, but love lived within the walls of her own home. Once she recognized it, she never had to search farther than her precious backyard.
LOVE
Love is loneliness served on a platter
Love is heartbreak in the fact of the matter
Love can hurt, love can cure
Love can focus, it can obscure
Love can hide within a song
It may invite you to play along
You may not recognize its gentle way
Or even listen to what it has to say
You may search for it in the strangest places
And never see it in familiar faces
It may not look the way you thought
The way you struggled, the way you fought
And you may fail, as you search afar
Only to collect another scar
Because love will come in a simple smile
It will caress you for a little while
It will set your yearning heart on fire
It will sing like an angel from a church choir
It will make you laugh, it will make you cry
No matter what, it will tell no lie
You must embrace it with open arms
And recognize its many charms
It will visit you, it will visit me
It will capture us or set us free
So with open eyes, please look and see
Love will be nestled within your own family
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Just one word becomes one idea, becomes one sentence, becomes one poem, becomes one story. Magical!
