it was easy when the cover
was all that could be seen,
when pages became visible
the existence changed
yet again,
each time the book has opened
the contents scare the viewer,
pages pouring love out,
reasons from the past
that molded the determined,
independent soul,
an understanding of the circles,
and an honor code,
beyond superficial circumstances,
where words are written
and an ironclad promise is kept,
an epitaph explains
the life goal of service,
where imperfections exist,
desires to be accepted
grace every chapter,
examples of sometimes trying too hard
to out live shadows
and crushing betrayal,
where fear lingers on the fringes,
within the pages exists a life
that once viewed by the outside
is left unread and cast away,
as though a disease exists
to be caught,
yet the book survives,
adding chapters,
regardless of the loss
that always comes,
changing nothing, love given
will remain,
promises will be kept if ever
called upon,
someday when all the chapters
have been written,
there exists a hope that love
will be received like it was given
and forgiveness will be found.