Regarding Love

First find
and then forever hold
dear
an agape love-
agape
a word I first heard
in a church
I remember
neither
when or where
only that this speaks of a love
selfless,
spiritual,
enduring...
And yes, I know
that there is both a time
and place
for the sensual,
the carnal, even
for lovers gazing at one another
over candlelight,
soft music playing
and candy hearts
printed with sentimental
words,
valentines
and the colors of spring...
And ah, the joys of the
flesh-
like the sweetest of
perfumes...

But in the end,
enveloped with the stench
of dying,
ravaged by dementia, drooling
- to have someone do for you
all that you can no longer
do for yourself-
and to do it cheerfully,
not out of mere
duty
then, and only then
can you say
"I was truly loved."