Tree of Love

Love is a temporary madness.

It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides.

And when it subsides you have to make a decision.

whether your roots have become so entwined together

You have to work out

that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.

Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement,

it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.

which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

That is just being "in love"

Love itself is what is left over

when being in love has burned away

and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

had roots that grew towards each other underground,

and when all the pretty blossoms

we found that we were one tree and not two.

[you and I]

had fallen from our branches