Gargoyle Love Song

Joshua Gage

They say that I was carved to wait forever.

What do they know? I was born of snow,

cold wind, and stone. It took me the better

part of a millennium to grow

this still, this old. I lurked above the holy

doors, waiting for love to sweep into

my life. I did not think you would be rosy

pink. But you winked at me. I knew you knew.

I watched you age with week and year until

wrinkled, slow, and weathered--a perfect mate.

One day they brought you to me, gift-wrapped, still

and silent. But you were planted, and so I wait

for you to grow from out the ground, join me

and fly. I'll wait forever. I'm good at waiting.