for Ted and Linda
William James believed we don’t discover
happiness, we create it: Faith leading
to action involving care for others—
perhaps best expressed by friends proceeding
to lovers, then to vows of melding souls.
Victor Hugo said to love a person
is to touch the face of God. We suppose
that’s true of humans' loving expressions
toward horses and art canvases, long rows
of books, wide mountain ranges—wherever
you two lovers set your minds and hearts. Those
of us who love well don’t think forever,
or consider drifting apart at death.
We simply love today, with every breath.
Roger Armbrust
September 7,
2013
