What Is Love? Poem by Leonard Dabydeen

What is love?
if in your waking hours
you cannot hold it in your heart
let it be the sweetest thing in life
God has offered you for living
makes you happy
becomes enduring as you share
each enraptured moment with your world
in the morning
you have my permission
without condition, I guarantee
never to leave home without it
open your door like you open your heart
show the world what love is
in the beauty of your smile
in the color of your hair
in the comfort of your clothes
in the confidence of your gait
hide a little in your purse, too,
let the aroma of your perfume intoxicate
each passer-by, face about-turn
look at you! ! look at me! !
when evening comes
remember not to give all your love away
be smart
secretly cuddle some for yourself
close your door
let your evening ride in the tide of life
whatever happened cannot change
only focus on the things you can change
with each footprint tomorrow
let your night-cap be a prayer of love
that will grow exponentially
as you begin your new day
in love.