We didn't know then
We didn't know then that love was friableeach harsh word a little crumbling of edges once thought invincible We didn't know then that time was limitedgoverned by a willingness to bendto soften to the contours of each day We didn't know then the harsh tediumthat abrades in the creases between sweet fleeting moments of passion We didn't know then how a face adored can disfigure in the mirror of neglectto reflect indifference in place of care We didn't know then, but if we had,would we have done anything differentcould we have carried our love more gently?