Academy Of Love Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

He and she
standing there
at the center-stage,
the theater of love opens
its play, its presentation...
their first glance
turns into a smile,
later a small hug,
a little kiss as if
it was not meant to be;
next day they rush
to see each other,
they feel a relief
every time they meet;
they share coffee, tea, ideas.

Suddenly over the nights
attraction turns into fiery passion;
their attitude changes
they walk holding hands,
friends keep watching
as they ignore them
or just say hello to them softly,
everyone is intrigued
curiosity keeps mounting
as they hurry away
to share quiet moments
of togetherness
bewilderment vanishes
everyone knows they are in love.

He and she decides
unity is inescapable;
they choose privacy
to find harmony
to concentrate on each other;
many moments of decisions,
many arguments,
passion surmounts,
he proposes holding a bouquet
outside her window
on one knee,
she laughs like a Juliet
from a half broken balcony,
he feels like Romeo,
both agree to accept
their love as destiny.

Wedding date begins a new story,
he and she walk
the church aisle confidently,
he in a tuxedo suit
she in a long white gown,
both beaming with joy
they take their vows,
a priest blesses them;
into a husband and wife they turn,
their new roles begin.

Audience starts clapping...
looking at the scene,
someone raises a toast
praises the couple,
everyone eats and drinks,
there is merriment
song, dance and music,
the troupe serenades
the couple so young and carefree.

Balloons keep flying
from the car
that carries the bridal couple
to their apartment,
friends keep following them
honking as they keep driving
around the city
behind them;
flowers at every corner
of their little room,
it looks like an outdoor garden
roses look very red
amidst the white lilies
yet no one is looking
at the huge wedding cake
that is waiting to be cut.

As they open bottles after bottles
the wine tastes so intoxicating
it is from an old cellar,
everyone is drunk and ready to leave;
the last scene is so exclusive
they are rocking,
dancing, clasping, happy;
suddenly they realize
there is also someone else
in the bedroom,
it is her cat
it meows, it purrs
it looks silently jealous,
they laugh at it
and go to sleep
holding each other
so closely, breathlessly;

The scene has ended,
their roles are over;
from the academy of love
they have graduated as lovers,
he and she;
as husband and wife they will live
and be father and mother
in the future course of time;
love has not to be taught
it happens by itself
without teachers, without lessons.