it's true
the degree to which you open your heart
is the degree to which you can hurt
but don't be a coward
throw yourself open
be vulnerable
and greedy
gather all the love
you can possibly hold
in the basket of your heart
then, if life takes it away
embrace the waves of grief
that will surely come
scatter the remaining petals
of your love
on each oceanic swell
until the surges subside
and become gentle
with your heart
once more
yes,
to gather love
is to be brave
and wild,
but wise
know this:
hurt never lasts
beyond life
but love does
so, pick up your basket
return to the fields
and harvest some love
again
