The biography of toribia manos

By Toribia Mano

I

Love have known as birds have known their skies

In lush of spring and in the summer’s fall;

In a gray field of rain, a sun-drenched wall

I have watched petals fall, and new moons rise:

And this I have found that although I am wise

To all the ways of love, I know not all,

But like a child, still grope and heed the call

Of magic sunlight dancing in my eyes.

And love is this: sun that burns and sets,

A kingdom greater than a pile of gold,

Or a name written in fire of flag unfurled,

Or silver stars across vast orbits hurled.

And love is this, too: strength that one begets

By toil, fear, ecstasy the heart can hold

II

Each day I light my lamp for you

My flames of faith, of love, and anguished cry,

For burnished beauty which has held me by

In times of need; day yet bright, yet new

Against my eyes.

And in each varied hue

Of light I see, I know that as I sigh

For colored wing or leaf that ere it fly,

Shall find you la