In the thousand small places
       of myself and of my name
in the growth of passions
       of interests and abilities
of successes and failures
       in all the one-by-one days

and the one-by-one nights
       when flowers bloomed
and before those flowers faded
       in every moment of intimacy
and despite the solitary pain
       of unfolding distance

in every meadow crossed
       and upon every river sailed
at every waking hour
       whether observed or deep
into my dreams I have
       heard you in the song

of sparrows and finches
       and held you in my heart
and will do so for however
       many months and years
remain knowing that in love
       all things are for the best

John Lyons