Brown Paper

Although it was wrapped in brown paper,
tied tightly by twine and looking like something non essential,
you found my heart.

And you held it, just like that,
in it’s simple plain disguise –

and treated it tenderly, as if…

as if it were something precious,

as if it might be easily damaged, and it
needed the most gentle of care.

Bit by bit,
you’ve been peeling back the rough package;

you’ve been letting in
your warmth, and laughter, and tenderness,

whispering promises,

and kissing it with hope and passion.

Bit by bit,
you have released my heart
from its hiding place,

and now it is open – and loving you.

© martha lee phelps