love

I was being very careful
Not to look for love.
They say that’s the only way
It will happen.
I moved through my day
Head down, heart closed.
I sat in my cubicle
Headphones on,
Attention directed,
And did what was expected.
I saw so many beautiful women
Every day.
But I didn’t reach out to any.
The days passed.
The weeks passed.
The years passed.
And I continued not to look for love.
I grew older alone.
Eventually even the idea of love
Seemed archaic.
I never looked,
But yearned for love.
At the very last,
In a hospital surrounded by nurses
I looked for love.
None was to be had.
I died gracefully,
But devoid of love.
Before the final moment,
I realized
I had died many years before.