i came to the poem

I came to the poem seeking love
Seeking self, seeking calm
I came to the poem seeking friendship
Seeking joy and dreams
I found you

I came to the poem seeking tenderness
Seeking home, a roof, a meal perhaps
A garden, a front porch, a stream
A few steps beyond the backyard
I found you

I came to the poem to weep
To laugh, to whisper, to yell
To dance and be naked through the fields
To be more than a body
I came to the poem to discover
To uncover
I found you

I came to the poem with my tears
To share my joy and my awe
I came to the poem to hear
The mood of the people
To attend, to soothe and sift through
I came to the poem to reckon
To protest, to confront
To challenge and be challenged
I found you

I came to the poem and found forever
I came to the poem to ponder
To play, to snap my fingers
And clap my hands and stomp my feet
I came to the poem and I found you