Living in love

She moves surreptitiously around her home –

Her erstwhile streaming words are guarded;

Her earlier animated expressions lack spark;

Her otherwise shrill tone is a bare whisper.

Does love manifest in fear?

Fear of discord containing free speech;

Fear of hurt controlling hearty expression;

Fear of disruption limiting change for good.

Is love a handicap to life?

His need over hers, that she never sees hers;

His reaction preempted, to navigate her action;

His wrongs unattended, to burden her frailty hundredfold.

Is liberation from love a welcome to life?

A journey from living to life aplenty;

The offloaded bag of expectation straightening the shoulder;

Walking in steps, jumping in leaps, screaming a lungful – your life.