In response to dVerse Poets Pub:
https://wp.me/p1GTyJ-8R5


The Way You Stay

Love is not the rose left on the table,
not the red ribbon of a day marked
for remembering.

It is the cup rinsed and set beside mine
before I notice it was empty.
It is the light left on
when I am late.

It is knowing which silence means
tired
and which means
don’t ask yet.

Love is the hand at the small of my back
crossing a crowded room.
The steadying touch
no one else sees.

It is warmth in winter
that does not announce itself —
only lingers.

It is the remembering
of how I take my tea,
how I unravel,
how I return.

Love does not shout.

It stays.

— Maggie
The Afterlove Voice 💫


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22 responses to “The Way You Stay”

  1. Carol anne Avatar

    Love your poem Maggie 💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you my friend 💝💝

      Like

  2. Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr Avatar

    “Love does not shout.

    It stays.”

    So true

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you Ken 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Lisa or Li Avatar

    Maggie, great write to the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you so much Lisa 💜

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lisa or Li Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Arcadia Maria Avatar

    Beautiful poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you 😊

      Like

  5. kim881 Avatar

    I love your honest poem about love, Maggie, familiar and so true:

    ‘It is the cup rinsed and set beside mine
    before I notice it was empty.
    It is the light left on
    when I am late.’

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Maggie Avatar

    Love is so much more than romance 💜❤️

    Like

  7. sanaarizvi Avatar
    sanaarizvi

    This is incredibly raw and poignant! I especially admire; “It is the cup rinsed and set beside mine before I notice it was empty.” Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you for your kind words Sanaa ❤️💜

      Like

  8. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Excellent… it iis the staying that makes it

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you Bjőrn 💜 😊

      Like

  9. subversopus Avatar

    Ah yes love is in the subtle things that you so elequently discussed. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you 💜 😊

      Like

  10. Sadje Avatar

    So beautiful Maggie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you my friend 💜 ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re most welcome 🙏🏼

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Dora Avatar

    A love poem for the ages, Maggie. Every detail sings, shows how love is more than words but actions too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you Dora 💜❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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