There are those loved and lost to experience in the earliest days of youth,
Innocence seeking acceptance, failing, uncovering truth.
There are those for whom love is constant; family and friends, ongoing still,
Known forever, through thick and thin, warming the deepest of chills.
There are those met in passing on life’s journeying path who’ve taught a lesson profound
Moved on with their lives with a hug and a kiss; not forgotten but no longer around.
There are those of whom we’ve mistaken, not everyone so worldly wise,
Whose love the price is forsaken, love distorted, despised.
There are those in the world unknown, anonymous faces abound
But loved, nonetheless, in brotherhood. Love making the globe spin around.
There are those whose deepest convictions distrust the notion so pure
That love may be felt in many different ways. Love, only love, will endure.
There are those on whom love seems pointless, poured out, received, then wasted
Those for whom love is a bittersweet pill, not understanding how love should be tasted.
There are those whose trials in life dissuade any sense of true giving
Afraid to love and be loved in return, afraid it seems of real living.
There is eros, agape, philia, storge, so many loves to express,
A spiritual journey and physical; love experienced no less.
There are those for whom love’s a story, an expression of sweetest accord,
Enjoyed, vicariously, in leisurely pursuit without ever saying a word.
There are those for whom love is tarnished, all hope now a season of doubt,
Shivering sadly in hermit-like cave, not knowing what life’s all about.
Love, the varieties so wondrous, unendingly hurtful, of course
But full of all life’s potential when springing from life-giving source.
There are those for whom love’s confusing, testing the mettle of many,
A contradiction of love in its essence; love that springs always aplenty.
A fountain of love unending, giving, receiving in need,
There for all if willing to know, to absorb, the world to feed.
Love is the great contradiction with lessons for all us to learn,
No love ever given or received is lost; we all must love in our turn.
How many loves in a lifetime? Only one, the answer is true.
All love springs from source eternal. That’s all that love has to do.
scottishmomus 