Need vs. Rest

You were taught that love—
the "real kind"— means giving

as much as you can for as long
as you can, until you hear

the clink that means the tank
is nearly empty, the stone

falling from a long way away
has finally hit the bottom of 

the well. Don't you know better, 
don't you realize after all

these years the flower doesn't need 
to be shorn from the vine in order 

for anyone to distill its fragrance?
Jasmine, trumpet flower, throats

that open in the deep of night 
to announce their need. But yes 

of course, you know: of the many
forms of service, survival is one

of the hardest. Add to that list
falling apart, losing yourself, waiting 

for the world to pour light back into 
your hands like a debt finally paid.