I want lived-in love
The hot heat of romance burns itself out
But the quiet strength of weathered love
Has something more
Love that has sat upon a tempestuous sea
Of sorrow or trouble
That has desperately wept at hopelessness
Or sickness long suffered
But has risen still with the dawn
And with deliberate fresh devotion
This is love

This outlasts, outstrips the sprint of early yearning
It puts down roots far and deep
At times it looks like friendship
A loyal companionship
It might appear as comfortable as old slippers
But try to break it
To rip it apart
And you will see that it is no small thing
Do not be fooled at its seeming
It has a fierceness yet that may take you by surprise