Devoted Love Poem by Mary Champion

The Greeks,
who strive to have a word for everything,
have many terms for love.
They understand
that there is more to love
than the rapacious greed of Eros.

Storge!

I have no desire to possess my children,
nor my other kith and kin.
I do not need them to be hanging around me,
phoning every day,
deferring to me in everything.
All I ask is that they be happy.
If they are happy, then I am content.
If they are not happy,
my pain, on their behalf,
will exceed the anguish
of my own misery.

***

If,
on the other hand,
the object of my erotic love should displease me,
my pleasure at his pain
will be unconscionable.