The Risk to Love

A Poem

the games we played
the dance we stepped
the deepened laughs we
raised

the oceans’ crests
the candles’ lights
the days we lived with
grace

the pain we numbed
the hope embraced
the fear we gave a 
name

the poison’s blood
the marrow’s gold
the chance we chose to
take

the lovers’ risks
the mothers’ eyes
the dreams wish to be
awake

the choice to love
the life to lose
the spark will never
fade

---

© Samantha Lazar 2019

Author’s note: This is the beginning of my thoughts on this. Yesterday, the world lost another beautiful person to cancer. I will miss my friend Grace, who was a shining light to so many people. She had the most courage and strength of anyone I have ever known. And as a former teacher of both her children, I will stand protector of them, even if from afar, forever.