# 435: Slow Love
Poem
Learning from mistakes
Is what life is all about.
Fell in love very quickly,
Lived out the passion too fast.
Overrun by emotions,
Love letters every day.
No way to handle it
Both of us overwhelmed.
Too fast for too little trust
Too frightened to let things unfold
Carrying much family burden
Desperately looking for love.
Living our own literary romance.
Then all was gone.
From one day to the next.
I pushed the brake.
Has been hurting ever since.
Saw no way out.
Maybe it helped us both.
Still not over it for years.
Not ready to love again.
Longing to be loved very much.
Feeling lonelier with every year.
— — —
Learning from mistakes.
— — —
Now a new world unfolds.
Things happening slowly.
Trusting in the speed of the other.
Doubting much and suppressing impatience.
Surprised about every step.
Wanting to touch and be touched.
Knowing it is too early.
No romance on paper.
No castles in the air.
Just plain life and experience.
Witnessing what is.
Unsure if this is love.
Unsure if it is all in my head.
Then more signs appear.
Short smiles and gestures.
Rare touches and moves.
Always wanting more faster
Reminded of old mistakes
“For some things I take much time.”
Maybe our “thing”?
Waking up with this deep longing.
Learning what true desire means.
Want more of you.
Maybe it will never happen.
Maybe we will never touch.
Would this make me fall?
Or is it unreasonable fear?
Is it just learning to love differently?
Was the love I remember not true?
I know that I am ready,
For life to happen.
If there is one person I trust.
It is YOU.
And if you do not love me
It is not meant to be.
If you love me slowly,
I am here to learn.
Fast love opened up God to me.
Slow love might be the sign
That God brings you people
When you least expect them
To teach you things
You never knew you could learn
Maybe all will be good in the end
Maybe we will unite.
At least I can say
Every day is a blessing.
When I think of you.
When I talk to you.
When we write.
Maybe wanting more is the original sin.
But we are made of flesh and skin.
We want to feel
What it is like to be held.
When I smell your skin
And I see your eyes.
There are depths I want to explore
And there are wounds I want to comfort.
If you let me.
In your heart.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
It feels right.
To be trusting you.
And your speed.
If nothing else happens.
I will have learned this.
That every day brings a small step.
Without me forcing anything.
Slow love and deep touches.
Maybe the beginning
Of a new life.
With two souls
Swinging in harmony.
In two different people.
Who feel like they belong
As two parts of one whole.
Love knocks when you least expect it.
When you have given up hope.
You have to find yourself.
And be willing to let others see you,
As you cannot see yourself.
A source of warmth and inspiration
A fountain of joy and energy.
I wish I can give all this to you
With my hands and heart.
Slowly and sensitively
Exploring your soul and your body.
I will never hurt you on purpose.
But we all do.
What you have taught me already
Is that slowness prevents misery
It does take strength
To let the days unfold
Without me tearing the grass.
It is worth it, however.
I am all yours.
Take me on your slow boat trip.
I will not interfere.
Just watching the waves,
Carrying us forward.
I see a shore
And I feel you see one too.
If they are the same
I cannot know.
Please continue rowing
At your own speed.
I will keep quiet and alert
I will remain patient and trust
There is only one thing I want
That you feel joy in your life.
However long it lasts
I want to make you smile
Make you feel loved
Be protected and warm.
Just go on
I leave it all to you.
— — —
Slow love.
— — —
Reflection Questions
1) Do you believe in “love at first sight”?
2) Did you ever regret falling in love?
3) Do you think love requires friendship first? Can you ever be friends with someone you were in love with before?