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Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

0 posted 2012-01-20 06:00 PM

The gifted, the wise, the pastors, the wives,
the noblemen, preachers, and poor humble beings,
turn feelings to words in attempts to describe
the emotion of love, if there such a thing be.

Not gifted or wise, no longer a wife,
I stumble through love with the pen of my mind.

It’s lacking in substance and cannot be seen
yet in the market it barters a give and take fee
but the fee is a feeling exchanged for free
so it could be construed as an invalid deal.

Too it is given with no earthly reward
so the gold in our hearts must be ill gotten gains
and the castles it builds are made out of air
so, therefore, love’s castles are not meant to be.

It doesn’t have legs to cross the divide
between mother earth and heavenly sky
so it’s surely not love when we think we see stars.

If love is the greatest, who taught it to play
sweet lilting music to which we all sway?

Its mission I’ll say, but then won’t deny it,
is to find a “something” that’s missing inside us
but whichever, however, it destructs if ignored
and, therefore, must be as if it was not.

What is love? It’s a thought, an idea, a wishing to be,
a prayer, a hope, and the longing in me,
but if one day it knocked, would I even know?
Would you?

Helen

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

1 posted 2012-01-20 11:22 PM

Oh, I would so love to know! What a fine take on one of the 'big subjects' of life...introspective, insightful. Very much enjoyed

Amaryllis

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

2 posted 2012-01-20 11:29 PM

Thank you so much, Amaryllis. Yes, it sure is a "big" subject but for all its size not many seem to pay it enough attention - consistently, that is.

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

3 posted 2012-01-21 01:24 PM

very well expressed !

I was pondering the same question when I recently wrote:

                 Alone

Alone,  I remain …

astounded by all that love could be
saddened by all that love is not
mystified by what love really is …

I remain, alone

                 --- b. e. adams

Nicole
Senior Member

since 1999-06-23

Posts 1835
Florida

4 posted 2012-01-21 01:36 PM

It is one of the things that I have that makes me really feel like there is more to it 'all' than what I can see with my own eyes. I will never understand it, but know that I need it.

EmmaRose
Senior Member

since 2011-03-02

Posts 1376
Midwest

5 posted 2012-01-21 03:17 PM

I always enjoy your thoughts out loud, very well written

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

6 posted 2012-01-21 03:48 PM

Thanks Bruce, Nicole and Emma Rose. A poet recently replied to me saying that as an exercise he had to substitute his name for love and, Bruce, when I put your name in what you wrote - well, perhaps you should do it and see.

I am love - and, yes, we all are in all its mysterious ways.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

7 posted 2012-01-21 06:49 PM

"but if one day it knocked, would I even know?
Would you?"

I missed a few knocks at love's door, but I am happy to say I have opened it at last and allowed it into my heart.

Very nice poetry, Helen . . .

~*~ I gave up feeling guilty just to survive a long time ago ~*~

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

8 posted 2012-01-21 06:56 PM

I can tell you what love, is not:

A loaf of bread, a flat tire,
A punch in the gut, a house on fire,
A tree on the moon, an extremely bad liar,
A balloon without air, someone called squire,
A bat out of hell, loosing a horse race at the wire,
A guitar without strings, a plumber without his pliers,
A poem without significance, a rabbit without a briar,
A brood without a sire, a catholic mass without a choir,
All of which, leaves me in a mire…

Enjoyed your write.
Love is giving up ones life for another.
Love is giving all you have to someone else.
Love is like a drowning person fighting
to swim and stay alive.
Love is breathing.
Love is truth.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

9 posted 2012-01-21 08:35 PM

Wow, probably as many takes on this awesome subject as there are hairs on a head ... well, not My head, but a lot of them.

Here's my take back in 2001...

I Am Love

I remember the way you feel,
the way you smell,
the way you taste;
from moment to moment
I remember these things.
I am your spirit,
your heart,
the soul of your life;
in me you live
in ways you’ve never known.
Touching you
sets me tingling with desire,
the smell of your hair,
your skin,
the fragrance around you
enraptures my soul;
tasting your lips
is life itself.
I live for you,
of you,
in you;
Make of me,
a place to live,
to love,
to hide,
to cry and smile.
Be of me,
in me,
for me,
and I will ever be
an open door;
I am the spirit
of all you desire;
I am your dreams,
and all for which you live…
I am love.

w. james beard, jr.
© January 2001

Enjoyed, my friend...

j.

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

10 posted 2012-01-21 08:48 PM

Thank you all for your comments and poems.

I'm so very happy for you, Jerry!

JL - and I'm sure love is not many other things as well but I did enjoy the ones you picked.  Bit difficult actually because isn't it true that love is "everywhere"?  Also enjoyed your thoughts on what love is which I'm sure could have filled the page if you had the time.

jwesley - what a lovely and gracious poem!  Thank you for the unexpected read.

Helen

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

11 posted 2012-01-23 12:09 PM

Its mission I’ll say, but then won’t deny it,
is to find a “something” that’s missing inside us
but whichever, however, it destructs if ignored
and, therefore, must be as if it was not.

These lines really resonate within me... but I very much liked the whole poem... and the poetic responses!

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

12 posted 2012-01-23 05:07 PM

"..As soon go kindle fire with snow,
as seek to quench the fire of love with words."
"Two gentlemen from Verona. Act 2, scene 7"
William Shakespeare

Helen

The bard was right about kindling fire with snow, just ain't gonna happen.

And your words here prove him right about being unable to quench the fire
of love with words. No matter what your expierence with love, and words
you might have recieved to discourage it...you still have the fire
even though you feel you

"... stumble through love with the pen of my mind."

What I read in this is that you have been discouraged,
but
deep inside,
where love words reside,
romance, and love
are still alive.

The fire of love in those words cannot be quenched by the words of another.
(They might as soon try...to kindle fire with snow)

"What is love? It’s a thought, an idea, a wishing to be,
a prayer, a hope, and the longing in me,
but if one day it knocked, would I even know?"

I think you would know, and you would be able to put your feelings into prose,
without hesitation, and without too much study, or thought.

I might be completely wrong in my interpretation, but this is what your poem says to me.
Sorry for rambling, but the poem is very interesting.
(and) I very much enjoyed reading it......:-)

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

13 posted 2012-01-23 05:27 PM

Thank you, Ruth. I'm glad you enjoyed it and, yes, the responses have been great.

ice - Yes, I would know! Thank you so much for your insightful and in-depth response to my poem. When you're right, you know you're right.

Helen

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

14 posted 2012-01-23 10:44 PM

You will probably find as many different beliefs on love as you will find people.  Love can be quite essential to one individual and completely overlooked and ignored by the next.  That is to say love never makes it past the "notion" stage in their minds.  Love is real.  Love can be powerful.  Love can dominate your life and your will.  I do not believe that love, in its very real and true sense, is something that destructs or is even destructable at all, if ignored.

There are manypeople I have loved in my life... And everyone one of them I love still.  Love is an emotion, though... And not an end all be all answer to life's issues.  Sometimes love isn't enough to hold a relationship together, and almost never is love without consequence.  That we move on doesn't mean love failed us, although maybe we failed it, and it certainly does not mean the love dies or goes away.

Wow, you really got me yammering with this one... Lol  I'll quit while I'm ahead here.  Enjoyed the read.

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

15 posted 2012-01-23 11:10 PM

Haha Honeybunch, you got me to repost my "Love Is" poem from 2000... I hope you enjoy it. I'm risking my dark reputation here.

Michael

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

16 posted 2012-01-24 12:04 PM

Hi Michael - Thanks!  I think love (in its essential "grace") is too complicated for mere mortals to understand if they even bother to try that is.  All you say about life and relationships is true but I wonder what we would find if we went beyond the love object - man/woman, now or then and perhaps still to be.  Yes, we would find "truth" there.  Sadly it's not readily available to us here because, well, maybe because love in its essential grace has "been ignored".

All in all its a mysterious subject and one so vast (I think) that it would be impossible for me to come to any definite and lasting conclusions.  As mortals I suppose we love as best we can and if we do that then we're ... halfway there.

Now to read your poem!

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

17 posted 2012-01-25 07:36 AM

there are no chains on love, as it seeps into the soul of our souls, regardless of what happens in life/to us...love is never a stranger...
and it's so good to see you and read you again missy...have missed you....so beautifully written.
Love
Lee J.

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

18 posted 2012-01-25 11:15 AM

Hi LeeJ! Oh, to be a "missy" again on the threshold of love - then again, maybe not. Love is a sneaky, creepy, slithering thing no drought or flood can kill and like an acrobat it swings between the good and bad.

Always very much appreciate a read from you. Thanks.

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

19 posted 2012-09-25 02:34 AM

Love your poem, Honeybunch!
Ms. E

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

20 posted 2012-09-25 02:50 AM

Thanks, Ms E, and I've enjoyed re-reading the replies again and my "story" after such a long time.

ken206573
Member

since 2008-10-14

Posts 487

21 posted 2012-09-25 01:39 PM

What a beatiful poem, and thought provoking as well. I do wonder and wonder if that knocking on my door is really love. I really enjoyed the poetry and as well waiting for true loving of another. Big smile

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

22 posted 2012-09-25 10:28 PM

Fine writing...love is giving from our heart to those we care for...James

CastleGuard
Senior Member

since 2003-04-30

Posts 760
Alberta, Canada

23 posted 2012-09-27 01:45 AM

Well done. I think we may hear the knock...but...do we open the right door?
CG

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

24 posted 2012-09-27 02:33 AM

Thank you Ken, James and CG - and CG perhaps the heart alone is not enough to open the right door without the mind being well attuned as well and how can our minds be well attuned when not in full use in this world of ours? It's not our fault - we're born that way but, if lucky, we can progress thereto.

Startime1955
Senior Member

since 2012-04-22

Posts 1072
Alberta, Canada

25 posted 2012-09-27 04:26 PM

I have decided that, for me, love is something I give from the heart to all around me regardless what they think of me...I love to love...it is the magic within my heart...I love this poem and all the responses to it...well done...*BIG HUGS*

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

26 posted 2012-09-30 07:43 PM

If love is the greatest, who taught it to play
sweet lilting music to which we all sway?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear dear Helen, you tug so hard at my heart strings and stir such deep emotions.
I think I need a kleenex!

Love ya, Lady Sunday~

Richy
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 3050

27 posted 2012-10-04 01:06 AM

its one of those things you cant exactly describe, but you know it wholeheartedly when it graces your heart..

very lovely

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