Love

Posted on 03/29/2021 by Andrew Reynolds

A couple of months ago I joined a writer’s group at church.  This is a local church we’ll be transferring our membership to so it seemed time to start joining some of their stuff.  The writer’s group meets once a month with a suggested writing topic.  This month there were two: Love and how have you changed your mind.

Couldn’t think of how I’ve changed my mind so I went with the topic I know even less about, love.  Here’s the poem I read for group.  Strangely enough, they said I could come back next month.

Love

You ask me to write of love.
What can I tell you that you don’t know?
Would something abstract do?
Shall I speak of the Greek – Agape, Eros, Philia, or pragma?
Perhaps I could sing you a love song – crooner, country, romantic, or perhaps a they done me wrong song.

What could I tell you?
What don’t you know?
The yearning of a single heart looking for that one.
The joy of the couple at the altar.
That look,
those words,
the touch …

Can I tell you of the heart ache when love is gone?
Of the emptiness when the mourners go home …
nights when no one calls
when grief becomes the world?

Perhaps I could tell you the great mysteries.
How love works,
or perhaps a list of all the great books of love.

The song is wrong you know.
There isn’t a book of love.
Not one, but thousands.
Books, poems, songs, sculpture, paintings, pictures …

What do I know of such things?

All I know is that in my life,
I’ve had family that loves me,
I’ve had beloved pets,
and twenty years ago, I found that one
who made my life complete.

I’ve decided that love is about creating, giving, working at, and holding onto when all else fails.
We can speak of it, but it is best felt and gently held where all can see.
I cannot write of love.

About Andrew Reynolds

Born in California Did the school thing studying electronics, computers, release engineering and literary criticism. I worked in the high tech world doing software release engineering and am now retired. Then I got prostate cancer. Now I am a blogger and work in my wood shop doing scroll saw work and marquetry.
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20 Responses to Love

  1. Mama's Empty Nest says:
    04/01/2021 at 7:48 am

    And yet…you did!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Baydreamer says:
    03/31/2021 at 9:49 am

    Oh, yes, you CAN write of love, and beautifully! I got teary-eyed. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Christi says:
    03/30/2021 at 5:12 pm

    It takes a poet to write about love. So in case you were in doubt, you are indeed a poet. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Nancy Ruegg says:
    03/30/2021 at 2:48 pm

    You say, “I cannot write of love?” But you just did! And very thoughtfully, creatively, and eloquently, Andrew. My favorite line: “I’ve decided that love is about creating, giving, working at, and holding onto when all else fails.” That’s the crux of the matter, right there. Love isn’t just emotion; it’s action.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Diane Henders says:
    03/30/2021 at 2:28 pm

    Quite lovely. I’m not surprised that they invited you back. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Dave Foyle says:
    03/30/2021 at 7:12 am

    VERY nice! Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Bette A. Stevens says:
    03/30/2021 at 6:47 am

    Well done! 💞

    Liked by 1 person

  9. wolfsrosebud says:
    03/30/2021 at 5:08 am

    Standing applause from a poet. You’ve written what you experienced in your lifetime, condensed it into thought and emotion then wrapped it up for the reader to ponder and grow from. I’m glad they invited you back. Sharing in a writer’s group is not an easy task!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. dorannrule says:
    03/29/2021 at 7:09 pm

    No wonder they want you back! Although your poem tries to deny knowledge about love, your poem is an eloquent confirmation.

    Liked by 1 person

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