there once was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve

There once was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.

He was sensitive and gentle, like all people wish for others to be.

When he was born, his mother gave him a kind smile, and his father a tender touch.

It was easy to be softhearted in a place where beauty was recognizably weightless.

He wore his heart on his sleeve, but never realized the dangers of love until he gave the heart away.

A girl with a wistful smile and pretty freckles and shiny hair convinced him to blow the heart over like a kiss.

With a kiss.

When she ran away, the boy shed a tear and became a man.

Hurt by her departure, he wondered about how to fill the hole in his shirtsleeve.

He sewed in everything, all sizes, shapes, and textures.

It was a long time until he realized what it was he needed to fill his sleeve.

It has been fifty years and it is a miracle she is still alive.

Sometimes that is all we need,

That love that defends love but defeats love.