When Love Disappoints

When love disappoints does it mean you’re not loved, Could it be that the blame’s perhaps shared, Assumptions in place that you’ve never discussed, Or a grievance that you’ve never aired? Is mind reading really a love merit badge, Or good timing a thing to count on, No secrets the secret to love’s sweet repast, Beauty’s detail much more than a con? Does love really rest on just fond memories, Or on battles where lessons were learned, On beautiful days that we know never last, Or on miracles yet to be earned? So what are the pillars that real love rests on, Are there techniques to handle love’s pain, And how do we manage to shore up the walls When just emptiness seems to remain? Forgiveness of self is what lovers need most, It’s the pillar that most never see, Forgiveness of others just bargainer’s price That we pay for our own clemency. The later is phony baloney of course, And one reason why marriages fail, Both parties are living in teen fantasy And their love affair’s really just tail! Though loneliness really is nobody’s goal, It turns out that it’s quite standard fare, For how is it possible love is at fault When your own heart is not even there? It’s you that controls if you’re open to love, And its price is you leave other’s free, Attachment to love signals imminent death, No control is the way it must be!  But third pillar’s quite the most difficult one, For its onus falls squarely on you, Integrity that signals viable heart When all other distractions are through For love’s born and finds its full bloom in a choice, When you choose, yet are free as a bird, And that which ensures you are melting her heart Is that she can believe every word! Brian Johnston February 18, 2016