Love,

Like coming home.

A mother’s whisper,

“Hold my hand.”

A father’s warnings “Don’t drive so fast.”

Forehead kisses.

And desperate sobs,

And cries for help.

Songs sung late at night when the stars illuminate his eyes.

Hushed giggles at 3 am, when sleep lingers but coffee prevails.

A gift-wrapped present on Christmas morning.

Hot pancakes with sticky syrup and poured milk and fresh daisies in a vase.

Cards, handwritten and torn.

And store bought, wrapped in shiny ribbon and lacquered lettering.

Rings in tiffany blue boxes,

And rings from a candy machine.

Blankets on sleeping shoulders,

Late night store runs, she needs paper.

Love.