Love Poem: Thief
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Written by: Sarah Swanson

Thief

Her eyes were big, brown, and bright
Her hair was dark, like the sky at night
Her skin was soft, her hands so small
She barely smiled, yet I was enthralled

Spinning her around and around and around
She never wanted to be put down
Safe in my arms, she falls asleep
Oh, how I wish she was mine to keep

And as she lays against my chest
I just pray that she will be blessed
That she won't stay where she is now
That she will leave, someday, somehow

I look down at her sweet, sweet face
So young, too young, to be in this place
This was never where she was supposed to be
No child should ever live out on the streets

To think that this precious, beautiful girl
Fights every day for her place in this world
That this may be the first time she's been cared for
That she may have never experienced love before

For though it seems impossible, or at least, improbable
Though I hadn't expected this to happen at all
I cannot deny what I have inside
In my heart, I find love of the truest kind

Love, real love, not a feeling or emotion
Not love that's concocted like some formula or potion
Not love that is shallow or only skin-deep
But love that is pure and strong and complete

For love is a choice, a conscious decision
Actions and words planned with careful precision
To show the depth, the width, the height
Of the care that you have for another's life

Now to my dismay, the time has come
For me to return this little one
Back to the place from where she came
And still, I don't even know her name

I relinquish my hold, and give her away
She stirs, and awakens, and begins to wave
I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks
As I say my goodbyes, then turn and walk down the street

It hurts so much! How can it be right
To leave her, not knowing where she'll sleep tonight?
The pain is too great! I just want it to end
I just want my heart to be whole again

I know I will heal. I know I will mend
I know that I will be whole again
But I am so thankful that I will have scars
So I will never forget the thief of my heart