I’ve heard love, as the ringing in my ears that never subsided. It keeps me awake at night. The sound of love is a dull, persistent hum that drowns out the rest of the world. A low, droning tone that’s just soft enough to make me wonder if it’s my imagination playing tricks on me; just loud enough to leave my temples pulsing with real agitation.

I’ve tasted love, as the salt of tears in my mouth. Parching my tongue for want of something luscious and sweet. A hunger so ravenous that it could not be sated by a world made of grain. A thirst so vicious, it could not be quelled by an ocean-sized aqueduct of fresh water.

I’ve smelled love, as the smoke rising from burning fields. Scorched earth, in hopes to tame the wild flowers so that it could be cultivated for the profit of a lost love.

I’ve felt love, as an erratic current luring me out past the safety of the breakers, followed by a violent undertow pulling me down below the surface. It’s the motion of treading water, and fighting to catch my breath as I’m assaulted by waves of sentiment.

I’ve known love, as a tear in the fabric of time and space, disrupting the natural flow of the universe.
I consider all of this, and wonder if perhaps… Being alone suits me just fine…😔❤️

©️ Beatriz Esmer