Love is an Avocado

A special poem for Valentine’s Day!

Love is an avocado
shaped like the human heart,
and the human heart
is a pump
that sends the blood reeling
in ways gravity alone
cannot do.
But the human heart 
is also a metaphor
for the depth 
of human emotion and
for something more 
that cannot be
expressed directly
and so we call
on this poor overworked
human organ
and on avocados
to speak for us 
on the subject 
of love.

Love is an avocado.
Pebbly and tough
signifying strength.
Green
signifying growth.
Buttery
signifying tenderness.

But also this avocado
represents all
other fruits and vegetables
grains and nuts
myriad sources of protein
flowers and birds
mammals, reptiles, fish.
Love is everything
trees and dirt
oxygen and fire.
Love is classrooms 
and churches
folding chairs
and throw pillows.
Love is everything
composed of atoms
those infinitesimal 
bits of matter
directed by energy
to push and pull and rotate
like solar systems,

because our Universe
is vibrating
always and everywhere

even when we feel
confused and lonely
too tired to give
anything
anymore,
still it behooves us
to remember 
the Universe loves us.

It’s good in moments like these
to makes some guacamole
and share it with people 
you love, and feel 
the vibrations.