Before you were pretty

Before the edges of your eyes creased
and splintered into rays

Before your glance softened and
stories wrote their lines across your skin
In ink of shadow        and grace
burrowed into the folds of your being

Before your voice learned
to coddle    a spirit
and your heart to listen
even then I loved you.

When your hands
were only soft
but not yet wise
When grief could well
and dissipate            and blessings
did not bear counting

When all you had was time
and thought you needed
something more

Before beauty
settled into you
for keeps

Even then
I loved you.