The Lessons Love Demands Poem by Dr. Lalita Smith

</>You hate me - call me names behind my back
You slap me - curse my money and attack
But I embrace you still and refuse to show ill will
Cause these are only lessons love demands - You see

Love suffers long and it is kind
Love never envies or acts in pride
Love does not rejoice in evil, but delights in truth alone
Not easily provoked, love never seeks its own
So I want to thank you for teaching me to walk in love.

You holler - and you scream
You stomp, curse and act so mean
You even withhold your loving from me now and then
You stay out very late
Disrespect and distrust me although I am your mate

But I embrace you still - and refuse to show ill will
'cause these are only lessons love demands
Yes, these are only lessons love demands - You see

Love suffers long and it is kind.
Love never envies or acts in pride
Love does not rejoice in evil, but delights in truth alone
Not easily provoked, love never seeks its own.
So I want ro thank you for teaching me to walk in love.

(Written December 3,2003 @ 11: 00 p.m.)