dear poetry club,

Love is a common topic in these four walls,
we talk about finding love, keeping love, having Love.
i used to be able to write of love,
but Love has pushed me away.

i no longer stand in Love's good graces,
shoved off into the outskirts,
the lonely heart.

the past used a shredder on my heart,
contricted my veins,
slowed the ever quiet patter
of that almost worthless organ.

i wish i could be like you, or you,
to be Love's friend,
to feel Love's gentle touch on my body,
but the beating of my heart has been handicapped,
Love has choked me, degraded me.

i no longer feel free to Love,
but wander in her steps,
hoping to find again what you write about,
to be sated with amour,
to be complete with one again.