Courtship of a Hero
by Elizabeth Whittaker
RATING: K

Love,
A four letter word"
That pierces my heart,
As well as my mind. 

A flower,
Its meaning confusing me
As the petals bloom slowly
Then fall, deadened by heartbreak. 

The one memory of childhood
Passes through my mind.
A young boy of about ten
Hands me a flower,

My favorite kind.
One that is violet and yellow and blue.
I put it in my hair, making him smile.

Does he love me
After all the trouble I have caused?
Why does he love me
When I have left him for so long?

I know true love comes from the heart.
Am I to love him?
Or him loving me?
Or both of us . . . together?

My feelings are confused
When I gaze at my red-headed friend.
Do I love him
As much as he loves me?

I remember the day we met,
Running into that cold, dark cave,
The rain dripping of my body . . .
You standing there,
With your stuck up fiery red hair . . .
Your warm blue eyes
Comforting to me . . .

You talked to me for a while,
Telling me it was okay.
You said you would never hurt me
And you did not understand

Why I was so cruel and unfeeling
For about half my life.
I was born without a heart,
Or one that was made of stone.
During our quest you freed me of that prison,
Letting me feel the emotion called love . . .

Still I doubted you
As you took me to Alekia,
Full of life, full of love.
But I locked it away once more . . .

I came to an inn,
Known as the Dancing Dove
Where an old innkeeper took me in.
He gave me time
To unlock my heart,
But you stayed beside me.

Now, after many sleepless nights
And dreamless days,
I’ve come to love my friend with the fiery red hair.
I know, I know,
I have locked away my heart.
But if he returned to me,
My heart will open like a blooming rose,
Kissing the dawn’s sweet sunrise.

Please, my friend,
Unlock my heart . . .
And let me love again...