At times, love comes in short supply
We search in barren places
prickly love festers there,
the connections are fragile
Tough love is a cheap currency
As a child I felt a void
I craved deeper bonds
In my struggles I learned this;
pain is a strange gift
My moments of longing, opened my eyes
Yes indeed, I realized that people can be controlling
they dare to call that love; the nerve!
Tainted, dented love for sure
Little doses of love wax cravings
Why is it okay to hold back?

True love comes in many forms
S-E-L-F-L-O-V-E is a starting point
I thirst for other connections
The love of an amazing partner,
the love of great friends,
the innocent love of a child,
the unending love, from my Divine Source of life
love should not be pigeon-holed
love refuses to trap someone,
love shuns arrogance,
love does not abuse or gaslight,
love speaks up for love
I refuse any counterfeit, of real love