What is love, anyway?
A series of chemical reactions
which lead to statements and retractions
What does ‘I love you’ mean?
For some, a way of justifying the obscene
a circle of denial and agonised acceptance
on the road to eternal bliss
from the sweet innocence of the virgin kiss
through powerful emotion,
as virulent and destructive as the hate
that beckons us on to the Ids’ psychotic gate
where wars have been fought
and peace has been bought for love
But this reminder of our mortality
will never be enough to douse its fire
or dampen its ardour
while love stalks us and hits
like the blistering broadside
of a fog-bound armada.
The spectre of love hounds us
through our years
like an unwanted guest,
seldom paying its way nor fulfilling our quest
for the treasures that it promises
from the first fumbled caresses
to the perfunctory goodnight kisses
Love will always be
at the heart of the confusion
that is life
And life?
What is life, anyway?
