How Often

By John I. Blair

How often
Must I say
I love you
Before the words
Sound real,
Real to both of us?

How often
Must I ask
If you love me
Before you hear me,
Before I hear myself?

Why does love,
Who should be
Greeted every day
As a welcome guest,
So often end up
Stealing in, or
Hauled in by the heels?

©2020 John I. Blair, 6/12/2020