Little Losses

For my best friend, on the occasion of her wedding.

I’m reminded of those cards
Love is…

Love

Is

Two plump cartoon children holding their hearts in their hands
Red and shiny.
Two red hearts and a daisy
That’s what love is

Or perhaps it is more
Like seeing your lover’s chin and thinking “check out that jaw
In this light he looks a bit like Bruce Willis”
Maybe that’s what love is

Or perhaps it is in all the beauty in the world
In all of those beautiful things

Sunsets/ mountains/ clear water/ dreams of your love riding a glittering unicorn/ the sound of a pure voice and an acoustic guitar/ lights in the dark, perhaps…

Or perhaps love is found in the forgotten places
In tea drunk
Photos pinned to fridges
Bellies full of roast chicken
The hum of active kitchen appliances
The caresses you give to the crook of your lover’s knee
In the nothings
The millions of nothings you do for each other
Mustard coloured love
Drab and unassuming
Modestly clothed in everyday garments

For you, today, I wish for all of love

Shiny red hearts and tea/ clean socks and sunbeams/ photographs/ wild dreams/ hours of love for the crooks of your knees/ love that gleams

Love that is wrapped in winter wool and only revealed to your one
Your chosen one
Who peels away each knitted layer to the soft and pale part of you that’s just for them.