IN ITS HANDS

by Richard Schnap

I have known love
To walk into the room
Holding a dog-eared diary
Scrawled in a secret code

And I have known love
To walk into the room
Carrying a plate of pork chops
With apple-garnished stuffing

And I have known love
To walk into the room
Clutching a menthol cigarette
And a can of cheap beer

And I have known love
To walk into the room
Bringing a yellow rose
The gift of its heart