Let Me Love You

I feel your hesitation, an intense fear so real

As second chances come far and few, yes, I know the deal

Your heart's been broken through the years, pain I'm well aware

I can understand your reluctance, but please allow me to care

I've been here through the ages, my feelings never strayed

And if you let me love you, I promise to keep you spared

In life there are many choices and risks to few to take

But one thing is for certain, your future I can make

Your dreams for love eternal, are like wishes in a well

A simple penny is all you'll need, for time will surely tell

You will never have a doubt of how much you mean to me

So let me love you forever, unconditionally

When All is Said and Done

Will you remember the pain of longing

Or the love that felt so deeply

Did the heart retain it's memory

Or consume you in its entirety

Instead of a risk worth chancing

You ran for the fear of losing

Did our time elapse in the waiting

To forget my love so easily

Is tomorrow just a fading glance

For your soul to seek its penance

When all is said in done

Will today be my unraveling

All In

I hear the winds of change whistle through the air

Such words of promise, and yearning to share

It seems natural to quench that desire for you

To ease the pain from another's deceptive rule

But now is not the time for a momentary tryst

For morning will come and the hurt will persist

A willing participant I grant to you all of that

But would rather delay and continue my wait

Through the years my love has grown

Deeper still and more brightly shown

I am and will always be, here for you

All In, the one, forever tried and true

When you are ready to lay your cards out

I'll be waiting, All In, without any doubt

I Remember When

Carmella J. Lacriola

11-06-1945 to 12-18-2019

My mother’s hands trembled and shook,

like trees bend and lean when the

wind changes speed.

My mother’s hands plucked weeds often

hidden in her favorite lilies with

graceful ease.

My mother’s hands bore fingers so long,

like tendrils curled, made

a fist when wrong.

My mother’s hands baked cookies so

sweet, drenched in chocolate with

utmost care.

My mother’s hands so lovingly flawed, with

aging spots scarred, but held you tight,

like a memory retold.

My mother’s hands no longer tremble and

shake, watched over now by others who

still remain.

In Your Eyes

My heart comes alive when I look into your eyes

A troubled soul once lost and often disguised

To find someone with depth and understanding

Another gentle soul not forceful or demanding

I am flooded with emotions I can’t explain

And without fear, pure delight unrestrained

To love without limit is a risk few choose

But the payoff too rich to ever lose

I’m filled with calm when I look into those eyes

The warmth of your skin wrapped up in mine

A pleasure unexplained, overflowing with need

A desire quenched most extraordinarily

Removing the masks to reveal what’s inside

No longer ashamed or having to hide

In time the truth will always win out

And in your eyes there will be no doubt