Love
People like to talk of love, but in practice what do we see?
Many who're talking of it not doing what they’ve said should be.
Yes, words are used so freely, but actions don't always follow,
Thereby making much that is spoken simply ring hollow.
There's few among us who dispute the worthiness of love’s prose,
And the need of words of love in the midst of another's woes.
But oh, love expressed in action is by far the greater need,
For though it is displayed via words, it achieves far more by deed.
Actions show that we’re genuine, that we mean those things we say,
For saying and then not doing can fill others with dismay.
And that's why love never waits 'till it hears another’s plea,
But instead, it sets out to find what the other’s need might be.
No, love doesn't set a time frame, nor has selfish time constraints,
And thus where greater work's needed, its persistence never faints.
Nor does love place conditions where conditions should never be,
And neither is it selective, or displayed unequally.
Love thinks of the minority, puts its own desires last,
It protecting the disadvantaged, countering hatred fast.
And love never agrees with using force to get its own way,
And nor does it intimidate, try to wrongfully gain sway.
Love is also receptive to someone else's point of view,
And where it may well differ, it gives credit where credit's due.
Love won’t wrongly cause offence during any interaction,
Knowing in its wisdom that such soon sees it losing traction.
Love is also full of mercy, compassion and tender care,
And it's never prejudiced, but always seeking to do what is fair.
Yes, love acts impartially, ever has a listening ear,
And always goes the extra mile, seeks another’s heart to cheer.
No, love will never bear a grudge, it is faithful and bears long,
Not talking behind someone’s back, and it tries to right a wrong.
Love gives encouragement and makes allowance for mistakes,
It not breaking a confidence, nor ever deceives or fakes.
But you know,
Many when they talk of love have such naive, unbalanced notions,
Unmindful love is not just words, good deeds or nice emotions.
No, love is also justice -- and obviously, rightful law,
Because without such, it's clear that love would simply be no more.
Love also warns folk of danger, it corrects and disciplines,
And wisely upholds order -- and what is right, it underpins.
Love withholding what is harmful, telling it straight and truthful,
And it expecting these same things from both the aged and youthful.
Yes, love is never satisfied with mere mediocrity,
But seeks the betterment of all wherever that need may be.
It also knowing that sometimes unpleasant things are needed
To achieve a turnaround where wisdom has not been heeded.
But it’s always how it’s done, and how it is said, that matters,
And thus when these two are wed, far less things end up in tatters.
And yes, it's also how it’s lived, because love needs to be seen,
And never is it brighter than when selfishness has left the scene!
By Lance Landall
This older poem was upgraded 19 November 2017.