Chromatic Musings

Love

The meaning
Is so unclear
And yet plain
A true paradox
This simple word
It traps me
Stabs me
Gives me bliss
Makes me feel
As light as a feather
It makes me vulnerable
Even more shy
And closed to others
It makes me feel
Terribly weak
Yet amazingly strong
It even makes me
Just automatically
Spread my lips
Into a smile
That's a mile long
It's addicting
It's shocking
I hate it
And I love it
What is this
I try to describe it
It's friendship
The warmth
Of knowing
Your friends are
By your side
Always
To play with you
To fight with you
To defend you
It's family
A group
Of close-knit people
Willing to share food
Exchange gifts
Offer kind advice
It's partnership
Having someone
Who cares
For every need
And listens to you rant
Who has your back
When times are tough
Who holds you
When you cry
It's parenting
When you take care
Of something weak
Who depends on you
To give them life
And all they need
It's classmates
Who help you out
Who tutor you
It's teachers
Who help you learn
Who give their support
It's strangers
Who do nice things
Out of nowhere
Without being asked
It's a shy smile
A teasing grin
A knowing wink
It's a soft chuckle
A tinkling giggle
A deep belly laugh
It's a pat on the head
A clap on the back
It's a tight embrace
It's tears as you leave
It's a wide grin when you arrive
It's eyes lighting up
When they catch sight of you
It's waking up early
To eat breakfast with you
It's staying up late
Just to chat a bit more
It's picking up things
That fell from their hands
And opening the door
It's turning into a monster
When you're attacked or hurt
It's baring your teeth
And feeling your blood burn
It's roaring anger
When you're in pain
It's mourning misery
When you've been slain
It's befuddling
To say the least
It's not spectacular
It's not that neat
It's marvelous
And terrifying
It's beautiful
And so ugly
It's not a scent
Nor a rose
In the end
All of that
Maybe
Is love
I suppose.