What Is Love

“Were you in love?” he asked me.
“What is love?” I only say.

Is it the beating of your heart
or the tears upon your cheeks?

Is love beaten by the waves
And trashed upon the rocks?
Does it cry out in the nest
or take flight among the stars?

Can it be seen upon the face
Worn around the finger
Kissed upon the lips
Felt within your hand?

Is love a hunger so deep
in your chest or in your stomach?

Is it burning passion—
The swishing blush within the wine glass?

Does it run beside you
or swim beneath?

Is love a longing, a gasp,
A word, a whisper?

Does it hold my hand?
Does it hold yours?

Is it the pain in my chest
The dryness of my throat
The ache in my bones
And the sleeplessness of dark nights?

What is love
And will find me?
And make known its name?
Will it shout to me,
“I am love and I have sought you out.”