Love

Twisted, distorted, crushed and contorted;
Spun in a circle and turned upside down.
Warped, destroyed, with its meaning we've toyed;
Changed it and knocked it around.

We've made this so empty, so utterly hollowed out;
An excuse to get what we want, or give into our doubt.
We say it so frequently with no sincerity at all;
It would've been more productive for us to have said it to a wall.
I see it all the time, with this word he confuses her;
Pains her, destroys her, hurts and abuses her.
“Well what is it then?!?” so many people ask;
Not knowing it was explained so well in the past.

It is patient, it is kind;
It isn't afraid to take a dive.
It does not scream “Hey, focus on me!”
Or even remotely say “Look I'm better you see.”
It does not wish it had so much more;
It always trusts, always protects, and never keeps tally of score.
It does not strut, or thrust out it's chest;
And is not easily angered if put to the test.
It does not smile when others come up short;
And it does not flaunt its victories as if it was some sort of sport.
And two more things, often thrown aside;
People say that the first one, well that it's a lie.
And the second, doesn't work and the consequence was severe;
But these two are important: It always hopes and perseveres!

You know... it's not just a feeling deep in your chest;
Whether that be like a drug most divine, or cardiac arrest.
It lives inside of you, breaths, grows like a weed;
And takes time, effort, and so much pain to kill, and even then
there's still a seed.
A seed that can again sprout with little provocation;
Tearing open old wounds, and renewing desperation.
Leaving you thinking and double guessing yourself;
About something you thought you'd long since put up on a shelf.

Because yes, I'll admit, it leaves a scar;
It can leave you broken, hurt, and severely marred.
This world it is so fractured, cracked, frayed
Friends hating friends because of guilt, faults, jealously, or being betrayed.
Or maybe it's a friend you thought would always be there;
Until something more important, makes them not care.
Parents looking at kids thinking, “I wish you were never born!”
Or some who just give up and walk away, leaving families torn.
Or maybe an orphan who longs for the love of a parent;
But knows as the seconds tick away, there's less and less chance they'll get it.
And then there's someone who doesn't feel like they did in the past;
“You know, things change. This was never meant to last.”
One is fine with walking away, just leaving;
And the other months later, clutches their heart, still bleeding.
You know, the friend, child, spouse, orphan, and lover;
All of them are different, but the same as the others.
They all are searching for the exact same thing;
And though some had it for a time, in the end they were left wanting.

Now some of you may have some doubt,
What gives him authority to talk about
this topic likes he knows oh so much.
What makes him better than the rest of us?!
He's just a child! Of this he knows nothing!”
Then here, I'll give you a chance to actually do something.
Please, right now, stand up from your chair,
Look me in the eyes and say “You don't belong up there!”
Look if you do this, I promise I won't call foul;
So if you have a complaint please voice it now.

Look, I don't know all of your life stories;
I don't know every detail, both beautiful and gory.
I can't tell how your relationships have broken;
Or the reason why, on your tears you have choken.
I can't look into your eyes and see how you've been hurt.
Nor can I gaze in your soul, and see every speck of dirt.

But what I can do, yes it is small;
And I wonder if it will truly help at all.
But I ask that, if someone knocks you down;
that you'll get up and brush off the dust of the ground.
Then square your shoulders and send thanks to above;
Then as you live your life, always care, always dream, always hope...
...And always Love.