What Is Love?

What is love?
I ask as we part 
the clock ticks
like a heartbeat 
ten pm 
flushed roses
droop their elegant heads
shamefaced 

love is…
my ears sharpen 
when you whisper 
my world slows  
love is…
a bird in spring
a coiled embrace
a moment 

love is…
not a crown 
or a monument 
nor a crest jewel
love is…
the emotion 
that stands the test
when time makes it wait 

love is…
this moment 
stretched infinite
as I hold your hand 
ten past ten 
love is…
your presence
lingering like a scent 

this is love 

Written for Reena’s Xploration Challenge #266.

The prompt was a photo collage whereas I chose this image as it inspired my poem. Thanks for reading 💕