This Love Of Life I'Ve Come To Know Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I did not come to know love,
To rid myself of it to hate.
I did not choose to unlock a door...
To then escape by building a gate.

I did not hop a fence,
To convince anyone I could run.
I did not come to face the truth,
To allow what I've learned to be undone.

I did not concentrate,
To then refuse comprehension.
I wanted and sought more to understand...
And stand to feel the Sun upon me come.

I did not come to know love,
To rid myself of it to hate.
I did not choose to unlock a door...
To then escape by building a gate.

My choice,
Was not to hide but decide my voice I'd share.
To say those things I felt and meant,
From a caring awareness I had to declare.

I did not hop a fence,
To convince anyone I could run.
I did not come to face the truth,
To allow what I've learned to be undone.

I did not earn anything,
With a purpose to throw it away!
Or someday myself betray.
Not to sacrifice this love of life I've come to know.