Glenn Johnson’s most recent poem to appear here was Gravity (June 2013).

Checklist for Love
By Glenn Johnson

Love’s history carefully held and inventoried; checklist made:

√Excitement and curiosity of new love
√Requisite mutual respect
√Honesty … vocal, emotional
√Compatibility of interests, desires
√Mirror’s images, visions of selves
√Itinerary of journeys spiritual
√Mutual melding of body and souls
√Joyful life’s sidekicks

When checklist is fulfilled:
Decision to make
Deep breath to take
And a leap to make

Offer heart, tender and exposed.