True Love Poem by Judith Viorst

True Love

Rating: 4.2


It is true love because
I put on eyeliner and a concerto and make pungent observations about the great issues of the day
Even when there's no one here but him,
And because
I do not resent watching the Green Bay Packer
Even though I am philosophically opposed to football,
And because
When he is late for dinner and I know he must be either having an affair or lying dead in the middle of the street,
I always hope he's dead.

It's true love because
If he said quit drinking martinis but I kept drinking them and the next morning I couldn't get out of bed,
He wouldn't tell me he told me,
And because
He is willing to wear unironed undershorts
Out of respect for the fact that I am philosophically opposed to ironing,
And because
If his mother was drowning and I was drowning and he had to choose one of us to save,
He says he'd save me.

It's true love because
When he went to San Francisco on business while I had to stay home with the painters and the exterminator and the baby who was getting the chicken pox,
He understood why I hated him,
And because
When I said that playing the stock market was juvenile and irresponsible and then the stock I wouldn't let him buy went up twenty-six points,
I understood why he hated me,
And because
Despite cigarette cough, tooth decay, acid indigestion, dandruff, and other features of married life that tend to dampen the fires of passion,
We still feel something
We can call
True love.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Leslie Sharp 04 November 2014

I thought it was nastiest poem I ever read. It makes me sick thinking how my ex-husband treated me in a vow I made before Lord Jesus! One I truely ask the heavens pardon from. Pain and abuse.

8 5 Reply
Luis Espinoza 18 March 2009

I found this in a book of love poems. I read it to my girlfriend because I knew it would make her laugh and smile.

9 1 Reply
Ramesh Rai 22 December 2013

Great write Ma'am. it is indeed true love.May God bless you to be with evergreen true love. Regards

7 1 Reply
Raymond Farrell 20 April 2015

Sheer honesty and who can't understand this is indeed true love

8 0 Reply
Bill Grace 24 June 2014

It made me laugh. Can any poet hope to give a greater gift? Bill Grace

7 0 Reply
AFFAQ NABI 03 February 2021

Beautiful writing Joyous 🌺

0 0 Reply
Sandra Feldman 02 February 2021

So witty and wry and some dare say, poetry make them cry? Never laughed this much while reading a poem. Good Show!

0 0 Reply
Sandra Feldman 02 February 2021

So witty and wry

0 0 Reply
Dr. Antony Theodore 01 February 2021

He is willing to wear unironed undershorts Out of respect for the fact that I am philosophically opposed to ironing, Interesting poem. tony

0 0 Reply
brooke savanapridi 05 August 2020

it wouldnt let me highlight and were is it? ?

1 0 Reply
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