Freedom In The Prison Of Love Poem by Paul Hartal

You say: I love you forever,
you say: I love you
to the end of time.
And so by and by, a fateful and
momentous commitment emerges,
an exacting decision occurs,
perhaps coiled and convoluted,
but immersed in deep passion,
loyalty, care and compassion.

It is all marvelous
and happiness galore.
You live for a while
in a euphoric state of elation.
However, before long
you also find yourself taking upon
your shoulders the burden
of huge responsibilities
and you feel locked voluntarily
inside the invisible walls
of the prison of love.

You have lost your freedom.
Or at least so it seems.

But now think again!

For, after all, true love
is a liberating relationship.
It allows you to become yourself,
it allows you to feel
ultimate happiness and fulfilment,
the joy and ecstasy of sharing,
the immutable condition
of being home.

And mind you,
true love also provides you
with the antidote of loneliness,
it will free you from heartache
and solitude. It will make you
feel reborn anew each day.

In finding your authentic self
the harmony of real love
affords you becoming whole
and complete.
It goads you to change and grow,
yet permits space to stumble and fail,
and without fear,
because you know
that your sweetheart
will stand by you,
your darling will not abandon you
in times of need.