for guilt by association
love takes the rap
caught running around with anger
love takes the rap
witness to betrayal
love takes the rap
like the driver in a holdup
love takes the rap
responsibility takes a vacation
love takes the rap
mixed often with hard liquor
love takes the rap
for never leaving the scene
love takes the rap
for saving us from suicide
love takes the slap
love is the messenger
that we often try to kill
as it waits for our answer
love is the innocent
we like to pin our crimes upon
love is the bright angel
that we dress in dirty clothing
mistaking it’s open hands
we label it a beggar
when it really holds the answer
to our unanswerable questions
love is the subtle gravity
that keeps our oxygen on earth…
Lucy Meskill
