The Cherry Tree

 (A poem by Sal Godoij.)

I was in love, and I learned from it

Lessons I would never forget

Nested in my heart like a sparrow

Burning, like an arrow

Seared my soul like glowing coal

And then, the sin of the flesh

I devoured the fruit, fresh

From the forbidden tree; I felt free

The flesh surpassed the soul

I didn’t know what was happening to me.

No school teaches love; no book

The priest jumped back when I confessed

Yet I only wanted to shine in my lover’s eyes

Bear the daily weight of care

And walk the common path we shared

I dreamed without a rest

As if love were a test

Climbed a mountain; reached the summit

Slowly climbed down

Thus love started to recede.

I was in love, and I learned from it

Love is the best school for life

It teaches patience, fortitude

Tolerance, and acceptance.

Love teaches us to live in gratitude.

And from the seasons of nature

Spring being love’s coveted creature

Its vibes fill our lives

And as a Cherry tree blooms

So do we, when in our lives, love looms.

The Cherry tree over winter’s cold

Transforming her bare and frozen boughs

With warm, colourful renewed vows

So love takes the bareness of our past

And brings us into blossom at last!