POETRY

The Harbored of Love

Free Verse poem

I enter the bedroom, so exhausted from living and see you lying there, ebony strands on ivory, your comforter-encased body clinched around my pillow

If only I could tell you the haunts that keep me from you I tremble as I sit upon a corner of the bed, fear crawls in, leers back and forth between us I beg it to leave, to not take the love we share, to allow you the innocence of one unaffected by the struggles of a deranged mind You stir; your eyes barely open and blink as you move your head to rest upon my knee You inhale and exhale, sighing; I smell of sea salt and fish Tired from a day spent worn from demons, I gently caress your hair. Your eyes close and fear trembles upon your lips Sighing deeply, I tell you all is fine You whisper, I know… but I hear the doubt

©2013 Lori Carlson. All rights reserved.

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Lori Carlson writes poetry, fiction, personal essays, creative non-fiction, and articles. She focuses on Spirituality, Life Lessons, Self-Awareness, Relationships, Mental Health, and LGBTQ+. She is the Owner/Editor of Promptly Written and Not For Bedtime Stories. You can find her older stories on her Medium Blog, Ravyne’s Nest.