How many times have you fallen in love?

I’ve lost count. Somewhere close to a thousand times.

I once fell for a stranger down-under.

Loved him deeply for about a month, 

And in a night of thunder, my heart was torn asunder.

I once fell for an anechoic chamber.

Until my own breath and pulse turned stranger.

Now I find myself in an echoless chamber,

a comforting loneliness without a neighbor.

I once fell for baby owls nesting in my backyard.

They blended into the trees but I always found their eyes.

One day they flew, no glance, no goodbye.

I once fell for another stranger.

We are forever apart, 

but he still lives in my heart.

I once fell for a career.

Until the walls caved in, and I ran away.

I choose no map, no path too clear.

I once fell for an idea in a book.

Until my shelves swelled, no thought overlooked.

A sea of thoughts, contrasting and unshook.

I once fell for a woman.

She broke every promise and showed me a different way to play. 

Used me up and went astray.

I once fell for a man.

Loved him so much- thought about freezing my eggs.

Until the breeze unmoored my heart,

And in the wind, my plans fell apart. 

I once fell for an inground pool,

until I swam in the ocean, clear and cool.

I once fell for a family of blood ties, 

until I learned that blood can hold jealousy, hate, and lies.

In their grip, I found the truth. 

Love is not always where we think it lies.

I once fell for the drink,

Until there were too many to drink,

and I lost the space to reflect and think.

I once fell for the color blue,

until blue dimmed to black’s embrace,

And rainbow hues I ceased to chase.

I once fell for a hot head, a firebrand’s spark.

We no longer clash, no longer burn. 

Yet every night, he pulls me close, still leaving his mark.

I could continue but I have to go. 

The breeze flirts, it knocks on my door.

I always answer and my heart never stays upon the floor.