LOVE IS MORE THAN ALL THAT

LOVE IS MORE THAN ALL THAT

Papa always said that love was action, not words.

We could carry banners, scream love at another’s heart,

But without a promise to keep that love alive

it was a waste of time, a game to play, a lie

doomed to hit rock bottom, a brick wall, shrivel up

and die. Of course, I found his little speech a laugh.

I loved Helen Steubel. She had a pretty face,

red hair, and said so sweetly how she loved me.

We were both ten. Ten years old and certain our love

would never end. It did. On Valentine’s Day, no less.

Helen gave all the boys in 5B an I-love-you card.

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