I Once Thought Poem by Joy Powell

I must give up on life
And turn into a stone
The desert wind quite suited me
No heart, no mind-just bone
I thought it would be dumb to try
To want something again
Wanting turns to need, and then need
Transmogrifies to pain
I laughed at people still in love
Who trusted someone’s world
To make my happiness depend
O faith seemed quite absurd
I lay alone and wonder-struck
Sleepless in my bed
Still numb, still dumb, still cold as ice, ice cold
Not knowing I was dead
And then you came and shone upon
My meadow full of snow
And saw the flowers only of love
Could recognize and grow
I shed my cold, cold skin
And opened up my heart to you
And fearful, let you in
And now my dear I am in love
With all that I’ve been through
I know the worst of all the world
And I believe in you….