Love Poem: Maze

Maze

Running Away by Maria Magdalena Oosthuizen



I am a part of each leaf that loses its 
chlorophyll and fades from green in the maze 
of my mind. Again, I try to run through, as if I could 
escape, on a search for a flower garden I may 
never find. Turning to rest, I laze on dying 
grass next to a wall of leaves loosening their 
grip to fall upon me. As my calm explodes
in chaos, I awaken from my twisting dreams, 
lashing out and gasping to breathe. 
Without love, long ago I became trapped 
in this web, but now I know love 
is the mist that quenches a heart in days of 
despair. I often feel lost and alone despite 
my truths. So, I perch in my blues high above 
in meditation to watch a little girl on 
a quest to find love. She steps tentatively 
through the dark then stops abruptly to raise 
her eyes to mine with desperation and void 
of subtlety. I bend over her with a maternal 
touch as fallen tears muddy her sinuous 
paths, and I see my own face, different 
but the same, flawlessly reflected in her tears. 
I do not wish to uproot my past. Along my path,
I will plant seeds, look for buds of rebirth, ask
the wind to blow away yesterday’s decay.
Every puzzle has a solution. Pieces 
are uncovered under a brightening light, 
one that no longer flickers with intent to 
disguise. The little girl in need of love still 
has wonder in her eyes as she stares into mine. 
On a search for love, I ask for true balance 
in the Eden of my soul.  That little girl 
and I will wind our way through the passages
of our labyrinth 
              hand-in-hand.




Written 6/26/20
Contest – Maze
Sponsor – Dear Heart