Confession

translated from Spanish

tell me about her-

the one who, of all the ones you loved,

led your heart on its

most intimate journey into agonizing

self-discovery. tell me of waterfalls

and goosebumps, tell me of love made

in risky places, or of a love where love

was only presented through a doorway

but never actually made.

tell me of how you first confessed.

and why. tell me who ran away

from whom.

 

show me the lyrics you write in the air

for her whenever something reminds

you. when I run my hands

down your body, draw me a map

of where she is, and is not. explain

to me why she is not at your side

today, this very minute, sharing

an urgency or maybe just a slice

of cheesecake. convince me that you

are sitting here with me, right now.

and then write me a love song, in

which you teach me how I can be

even more to you, one day

a week a year a decade from now-

more than even she was.

 

Author's Note

I am cautiously re-entering the romance scene after a long absence of almost five years. This piece was written for a friend who is a similar place- trying to love again after a divorce. At our age, most potential partners will have already experienced great heartbreak and loss. And there is usually someone in their past who they hold onto; the fabled "one who got away." This piece is about having the courage to sit down and ask a potential new partner about those past loves- with the sincerity of asking, "how can I love you even better?" It is about imperfect love, real love, timid love- not storybook perfect love. It is about learning from life lessons.

Picture is my own from a cloud forest at the edge of my city.

original here: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/zorra_encantada/1870834/

Reviews

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

WOW... knowing your lover is not faithful to you is an earthquake to the heart.

[Marie Anzalone]

I think the intent was misunderstood. This is not about being unfaithful, in any traditional sense. It is about forming intimacy wit a new partner- recognizing that almost all of us hold a torch of some kind for "the one that got away," or "the love of our lives." I personally think that exploring the details of such a past love help understand how to love the person for the present and future. It takes, I think, great maturity to get here. I tried to imagine what it might be like to sit with a new lover, and ask him, "tell me about the love of your life?"

[micky]

This is a deep piece it has alot of hidden emotions...but it left me with one question...Is it love if you need to learn how to be more similar to a former person (s)?...loved this piece tho great stuff

[Marie Anzalone]

Good question. See my above response to Cowboy