Laala Kashef Alghata: Despite the Splinters in My Heart, I Still Love

I love like the moon can wash me
anew, like the tide can take me away.
I love like the sun will kiss my skin
golden and confuse my eyes
until I see everything with cheer.
I still love, despite the daggers
slashed at my heart, despite
the splinters left from the time
you stabbed me with glass.

I love like heaven is filled
with my friends, and hell
is empty. I love like kisses
given away aplenty.
I love like a child, drawing
hearts and figures,
and pointing to each one
in turn. I love like the angels,
like singing in clouds
is not enough. I love,
despite heartbreak,
despite past failures in love.

I love, I love, I love.
That doesn’t mean
I have to love you.