LOVE AND YOUR TWO POSITIONS

by Nkamang Tsotetsi
(Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa)

Love, in my infantile time, when I thought about you,
Peace and harmony reigned in my body and soul
My face full of radiance, my blood streaming joyously
The feeling of a child springing, screaming happily on the bed
You gave a feeling of solidarity

I felt you around my mom, I felt you around my dad
I felt you in the presence of my sisters and brothers
You were beautiful in my mind and my being
With you around I was content living my life
You were love, security, you are unyielding love

Dear love, you were more loving even in my youth
I felt no vacuum because I had you through time
You are still in me, my heart is your residence
I was oblivious to what you could do me in the future
You changed when I mellowed in my naivety

You changed to the contrary of what you were to me before
I had you and you left my heart for others, I loved dearly
You were taken advantage of by those I shared you with
And you could not protect me from their unkindness
Because, yes, you are love

You instead flowed more like rivulets in my heart
You escaped my loving me to pour yourself to turncoats
You left my nerves wrecked but it was ephemeral
Then you came back for those deserving you through me
The coterie to can rely on and to give you to

Yes, you can hurt but you can bring merriment
You are a two-timer, yet a sweetener dear love
All the same I love you, I am full of you
You are bitter-sweet, you hurt yet u love
In my heart you live, you give valour and strength