POETRY

Poems from the Heart

Seven Love Poems, first published in 2018

Kindness glues couples together, contempt tears couples apart

-a collage

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea.” “My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” Shakespeare.

Kindness makes your partner feel cared for understood and validated Along with emotional stability kindness is the most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a relationship

The more someone receives or witnesses kindness the more they will be kind themselves which leads to upward spirals of love and generosity in a relationship

On the contrary — Contempt is the main factor that tears couples apart. People who are focused on criticizing their partners miss half of positive things their partners are doing. They see negativity when it’s not there.

A Father Can Be a Ladder

Standing at a distance watching your little ones grow and become a better version of yourself can be what you are given Can be a hope you can nurture while time floats by

This may take time and oceans of patience compassion and empathy But there is no other way than to watch and listen and to feel with your heart the meaning of what comes out

A father can see can feel can understand and show the path where to go further from where we stand today

A father is someone who stands on solid ground A father is someone who can show what may seem invisible to a younger eye A father can be a ladder when you need to get on

When the Night Has Come

When the night has come I will stand in the silence And you’ll watch me From your secret window

Then I know You will raise your hand As if you were going To say something

My dear, we both know There is nothing unsaid between us And yet so much Still to say

When the night is here I know You will stand With our loved ones

Looking my way Holding me Carefully In your heart

When I’m gone You’ll be here Your mind wide open For me

And when you’re gone I’ll be here Holding hands with our grand-children I will hold you in my heart

And we will both know Everything has a start and an ending And that’s not now

It’s over

I’ve known for a while This day was to come I am not surprised By what I hear you say How should I be You’ve told me So many times I am not good enough

I am not surprised When I sense There’s a touch of contempt In your voice I see your face And I know that you’re Once more going to tell me I am not good enough

I am not trembling In anxiety Any longer Enough is enough You’ve told me over and over Your patience has come To an end And so has mine

Love was here

You stood by me In the darkened silence You looked at me In the hallway mirror I sensed a question Playing in your eyes For a while We stood there in silence

I felt the whisper From your caring soul I could see your face Close to mine We were standing Side by side Caressed by the soft dark light Of the evening sun

I sensed the warmth of your smile Inside my body Maybe I was born again I felt this was A new beginning You carried me With your eyes And love was here

The First Move

Your last words Painted all over the wallpaper Harsh words hanging In the air between us. I imagine you’re standing Behind that locked door Too proud To say sorry

I am not happy With what has come between us I know I have said and done Things I shouldn’t Dear, I know I’m not perfect I am still someone Who can learn

I guess You and I We are two Of the same kind We’re stranded So now it’s up To both of us To make the first move

What are you afraid of?

It’s not your fault and I’m not jealous

I try to catch your eye In this dim light I feel you’re Slipping away Are you leaving now Are you looking for a warm touch Somewhere else Where I cannot see you?

Dear, please tell me What are you afraid of? Why isn’t today The same as yesterday Why can I not Look into your eyes In this tender moonlight We sit frozen

What is happening With you and me Are you sure About this Maybe you’re just A little bored? Yes, I think it was a bad dream Some little nightmare

Øivind H. Solheim is a novel author and a nature photographer from Norway who loves writing fiction, poetry, essays, and articles helping others understand life, other humans, and themselves. He has published six novels, two non-fiction books, and a poetry book.

Visit Øivind H. Solheim’s profile

Become a Medium member, read thousands of writers and support my writing.