Dying For Love Poem by Tom Courtney

From a million a thousand
I narrowed it to one
We married and ventured
til all came undone
Sometimes pairs lose it
what life is made of
And they go their own ways
while they’re dying for love

She lay by the poolside
so sleek and alluring
A friend for some years
My thoughts were maturing
I called her sun goddess
shared the fire above
But I knew she loved women
She was trying for love

I met him at Roosevelt
He’d done time and done drugs
He’d been in a knife fight
even taken a slug
But I read him, his manner
He was eagle and dove
He was tougher than steel
And yes, dying for love

And I think that I’ve fought them
for all of my life
They raised me for better
I reveled in strife
In screaming and in silence
I could have thought of
the nature of parents
They’re just dying for love

At night in the silence
full moon in its glow
I lie with my reverie
small creature below
til time has stopped still
and the silence will hover
Need I say? It’s so clear
The night needs a lover

And surrounded by crowds
in the surging and ebb
At a sale in the plaza
the heart weaves its web
There’s really no question
what we’re all lacking of
We go bravely living
while we’re dying for love