The love of a mother for her child
is not the same as a child's love for his mother.
The love of a man for a woman changes
after they are married
from what it was before,
and her love does not correspond in all points with his.
Love between man and woman
is different from the love of boy and girl.
Love can be permanent as the tides, regular, unquestioned,
with no end and no recognisable beginning.
It can come suddenly,
violently,
as a thunderstorm in summer breaks
upon the thirsty earth,
short-lived
except in the memory.
But under any one of these emotions,
what is there for us to say?
Only, I love you.
Thoughts can be subdivided, classified, clothed with words.
Words fit feelings only approximately,
and our deepest feelings must often go unclothed.
So when I say I love you
I cannot analyse what I mean.
I only know that I do love you
and hope you understand.
This thought provoking poem is beautiful. The images and depth of emotion in the second stanza are superb, yet the real beauty of this piece lies in the honesty of the words; ‘Words that fit feelings only approximately’ – but words that breathe life into the true meaning of the word ‘love’. S :)
Love an endless means of inspiration for the poet, and as you so rightly say, take away the clothes and it comes down to those three words, and the hope that they are understood, well crafted Ian,10/10 regards Tom
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Beautiful poem. This part I can specifically relate to, as it describes quite well the relationship I keep whining about in my poems! It can come suddenly, violently, as a thunderstorm in summer breaks upon the thirsty earth, I like the ending very much too. Heartfelt and simply stated. Nice.