Poem for Alisha on Her Birthday

Of Love First-Hand

there will always be love
the way that there will always
be flowers -- gold blooms on
black days, boys with hard hands
to soften your heart.

there will always be love
from your friends, the people
who bring you sunlight, who
bring you back from nighttime
dreams of the past.

there is always love
from the cats, meowing
softly as you pet them,
not sure who is being put at ease,
but thankful nonetheless.

and I know his love for you
transcends what I have known
of love first-hand. he will always
be your shade during summer;
the tree where you carve your initials.

Alisha -- no matter what happens,
there will always be love
between the stars, smiling
while you read this, thinking how
lucky we are to have you in our lives.