yes, but how

"...there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."
-- Vincent Van Gogh

to love -- yes, but how to love?
we all love differently, some
with yellow, some with blue
some by carrying others
on their shoulders, others
by haunting them after leaving

and how do I love?
not with open arms and a radiant smile
but through reading my own soul
through consuming a volume
of uncompromising fullness
with a hand under my pillow
that holds a stone,
my truth, ever-turned
as I dream, seeking out
its hard, sweet secrets