FIRST LOVE

First love and much too young!
A love wanting to leap and soar
But held back by the constraints
Of long held customs and lore

A tender love always burning
Like summer’s scorching sun.
At times unbearably painful,
Trapped with nowhere to run.

Fate made us part too soon.
As night fell and the tears came,
For us the world had ended,
But it could not douse our flame.

Not ever a moment went by
When I did not think of you.
How has time changed you?
You still the person I knew?

As I crossed all bridges of life,
You were always beside me.
Thank you for sharing my life
Though be it in memory only.

As the endless years went by
Heartaches turned to yearning.
To life’s end, I love you still,
My desolate soul left burning.

Erwin Schalm