This Thing Called Love

How does one measure

a thing such as this,

it can break a heart

or fill it with bliss.

How much does it take

to join two people,

to cause them to marry

beneath a church steeple.

So often it’s heard

“I love you so much”,

must it be spoken

or is it in a touch.

There can be little doubt

it comes in many a form,

each so very different

yet most are the norm.

The love of a parent

a child or pet,

each is unique and

always a treasure to get.

It challenges time

whether old or new,

it changes your life

and alters your view.

How can you tell

when you’ve given enough,

impossible to measure

it’s truly peculiar stuff.

From where does it come

and how can it go,

it arrives without warning

its departure saddens so.

Some wear it with pride

others fear it will show,

there is little question

it can make one glow.

Is it given and taken

or a treasure to share,

a gift from God or Nature

like the ocean, sky and air.

Does it dwell deep in the heart

or hail from our very soul,

without it our lives seem

a bottomless black hole.

Life long acquaintances

may never see it start,

yet the passing of two strangers

can ignite like a spark.

Some have said you

can not search it out,

but it will find you

if worthy and lack doubt.

We know so little

of a thing so strong,

only that life without it

is eternally long.

Gary R. Cramer

May 6, 1987

I Had A Dream Last Night

In the middle of my sleep

I had a dream last night,

you appeared at my door

and oh what a sight.

The sound of the door bell

an awakening of fright,

who was at my door

at this hour of the night?

I went to the door

and peered outside,

and there you stood

with nothing to hide.

I opened the door

with awe on my face,

just looking at you

in all your grace.

You were clothed in a gown

that was a reflection of you,

so very form fitting

like a custom shoe.

I looked into your eyes

and saw nothing of alarm,

only your pure self

and all of its charm.

I asked with concern

are you all right,

and you simply stood there

in the cold dark night.

And then I saw it

the birth of a tear,

from the corner of your eye

and I was engrossed in fear.

“I’m terribly alone

and can only think of the end,

and for this night

I need to lie with my friend”.

My brain was clouded

and my heart broke,

as I simply stood there

not a word was spoke.

From somewhere behind me

an angel did appear,

and into my soul

she whispered nothing to fear.

So I opened my door

as wide as I could,

allowing you in

yet wondering if I should.

Here was the woman

whom I had loved so much,

who decided to leave me

it seemed in deaths clutch.

Without a thought

I held you in my arms,

trying to silence all

your mental alarms.

You pulled away

with a smile on your face,

and your heart spoke

of thanks for the space.

How could I deny

a place in my bed,

with someone who still had

a place in my head.

You had that smell

only you could achieve,

combining morning dew

with a full moons eve.

You slipped into my bed

and pulled up the covers,

not a word was spoken

but still the tension hovers.

As I joined you

without a thought,

I reached out my arm

you seemed so distraught.

There was a slight delay

as you pondered the why

but then you snuggled

and let out a very long sigh.

I heard you whimper

and you gave a small shake,

with so much sincerity

that you couldn’t just fake.

The memories fell

like bombs in a war,

the good and the bad

and so much more.

But in the end

it was a simple matter,

like when rain falls

and makes a splatter.

So we lay there together

all quiet and calm,

like a church gathering

right after a psalm.

There was never a question

of sex or of love,

only the trust of a friend

with an angel from above.

In the middle of my sleep

I had a dream last night,

you appeared at me door

and oh what a sight.

Gary R Cramer

May 14, 2010

Am I down to my last dream?

It all began February 2, 1947

my first glimpse of light,

it was on a Sunday

no idea of the coming fight.

My entrance wasn’t gentle

it was a surprise at noon,

as I peed on the doctors suit

because I arrived too soon.

Those first years are lost

with no memories from then,

I know I lived them

but just can’t find them.

Vague little snapshots

run through my mind,

but with not one reference

where they fit into time.

I’ve heard some stories

about family members,

made up or factual

aimed at both genders.

Tales of my father

rumors of my mother,

stories of generations

confessions from my brother.

So many questions

and the unfound answers,

to have lost my young past

It’s traumatic as cancers.

The way we were raised

maybe not the best,

but they did what they could

leaving us to the rest.

There was not a word

for us to have goals,

dreams not mentioned

two major holes.

Slowly they came

little peeks of dreams,

a pleasant break

from those with schemes.

Whatever they were

I really can’t tell,

because they’re forgotten

all gone to Hell.

Many years later

I’d write a story,

“Shop of Hope and Dreams”

containing a bit of glory.

So now I’m older

once again all alone,

I think about dreams

a life in monotone.

How many do we get

maybe a limited number,

and if not used

do they rot like lumber.

One thing for sure

there were just to few,

not enough in my life

and that makes me blue.

Where do they start

from where do they come,

are they a gift from family past,

so few to leave me glum.

Surly they were far to few

feeling like there was a theft,

how many do I get

if numbered how many are left.

I’m very afraid now

allowing myself a dream,

maybe another woman

to make my eyes gleam.

To have another lady

so hard to match the last,

Wondering am I down to my

very last dream so fast.

Gary R. Cramer

May 21, 2018 ©