Love

"Love" is a poem by Canadian poet, Ruth Desjardins

Love– 

elusive, 

untouchable as a cloud, 

fragile, 

crushable as a flower; 

will not be held 

nor taken, 

commanded, 

nor saved up; 

given freely, 

accepted gladly, 

in exchange 

for love. 

 

Love– 

existing in thoughts, 

and feelings– 

reflections mirrored 

by two loving souls; 

experienced by two 

touching softly, 

seeing clearly, 

knowing surely 

the purity 

of love. 

 

Love– 

unconquerable– 

resists oppression, 

overcomes denials, 

defeats pretenses; 

reveals its truth 

in smiles 

or tears, 

or the searching glances 

of love 

seeking love. 

 

Love– 

uncomplicated 

as a glass of clear water, 

as a breath of fresh air, 

as pure and as good, 

as guiltless and as free, 

as straight and untangled 

as truth; 

only in virtue 

is there love. 

 

Love– 

that’s beautifully selfish, 

delighting in 

the joy of mutual pleasure 

in each other;

giving, 

taking, 

that which is exclusive; 

offering, the seeing 

returning love 

for love. 

 

Love– 

lit by the lamp of truth; 

revealing 

many secret feelings 

in a soul- 

feelings 

now unhidden, 

openly and honestly disclosed 

through the courage 

necessary 

to love. 

 

Love– 

never blind– 

possible only 

with clearest vision, 

fullest understanding– 

the virtues 

strengths, values, dreams 

of a soul; 

and with the seeing– 

knowing 

and feeling love. 

 

Love– 

to be tasted 

and then savoured– 

leaving space for yearning 

in the soul; 

always taking along 

fondest thoughts, 

warmest memories– 

just enough 

for returning 

once again 

soon– 

for love. 

 

Love– 

timeless 

changing 

and unique– 

captured in moments, 

shared by two, 

creating 

once-in-a-lifetime, 

unrepeatable, 

ever new, 

experiences 

of love. 

 

Love– 

intimate, 

and closely shared, in private 

while the world is lost; 

and two 

together in seclusion 

exchange 

all the many treasures 

of their 

exclusive 

love. 

 

Love– 

forever changing– 

flowing freely, 

spreading warmth 

and leaving souls serene 

and glowing, 

and sweetly yearning; 

reaching every corner of the heart 

like strains of music, 

with the bittersweet 

and poignant cry 

of love. 

 

Love– 

creating moods of living– 

now gently teasing 

and flirty, 

now sparkling 

and flashing 

like a merry dance– 

bubbling 

and alive, 

splashing, 

laughing, 

and free 

with the happiness. 

of love. 

 

Love– 

filled with pride 

and independence; 

aglow 

with admiration, 

respect, 

and self-respect; 

ever demanding virtue 

giving goodness; 

trading these 

with dignity– 

with love. 

 

Love– 

serious and solemn — 

held in reverence; 

soft and warm 

with tenderness 

and respect; 

spoken in whispers; 

gazing out from unwavering eyes, 

touching stillness; 

heart-stopping 

with beauty; 

heroic 

and awesome 

is love. 

 

Love– 

on fire with passion– 

burning, 

flashing lightning in the soul; 

flaming with desire, 

thrilled with touching, 

overwhelmed 

with the glory 

of love’s sweetest, aching pleasure; 

wild 

and free 

and breath-taking 

is love. 

 

Love– 

indestructible– 

leaving the spirit reaching 

higher 

ever higher; 

triumphantly elated 

and wanting more; 

feeling the divine 

in being human; 

honouring 

the wonder 

and the freedom, 

and the majesty 

of love 

 

May 1978

About Author

Ruth Desjardins is a celebrated Canadian writer, born in Cobalt, Ontario, Canada.

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