Home » Poems » Daver Austin » What Is Love? (1973)

What Is Love? (1973)

OH    NAKED MAN    IN HARMONIA
TELL ME    WHAT IS LOVE

Love is when a sensitive child
Happens on a flowering hillside    and
Cries out with joy

In the blazing eyes of a cat
The eyes only
Be it live
Or photograph

Love’s power is
That it has no secrets
Will allow none

Love will settle on a countenance
And strip it bare
For all the world to see

An old    old man
Given up struggle
Given up thought
Helpless before his maker

Love has no earthly intelligence
But chooses fool
Or Saint alike

Some say love is complexity
But I say that love is simplicity
And draws its power
From contrast with complex things

So simple love
That it brings tears 
Of disbelief

If love is fine
Where love is serf
Just think how great
Where love is king

On this side they call it love
What needs no name
In its kingdom

Love is not a God
It is a helpless thing
Without a power to persuade

Love needs no thought.
Those who think they love
Do not love at all

Think of every worldly set of situations
Thought about    and then
Declare that love is none of these
None of these are love

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/17/2015 4:00:00 PM

DAver, I always wondered about this one and why 1973? I chose it to see again because that was my graduation date from high school!! what was its importance for YOU?

Daver Austin
Date: 12/20/2015 12:25:00 PM

I can't remember why I wrote this one, just something to write about I suspect. Hey! I graduated from high school in 1947. Boy, am I old! Love, daver

Skat A

Date: 3/10/2010 5:17:00 PM

Sorry for my typo in your comment I ment WORDS...In your last comment...I see you have alot of soup readers who like your poems as well. I agree with all comment u have on this poem . It does have alittle bit of everything. Enjoyed reading....

Cecil Hickman

Date: 3/7/2010 10:54:00 AM

Beautifully expressed with wisdom of life,,so many think about love,,very few ever truly find it,,,in my opinion it cannot be forced or coordinated it just is....Thank you for reading and leaving your comment upon my words,,,Blessings..Cecil

Ravindra K Kapoor

Date: 1/26/2010 9:54:00 AM

Its a beautiful Poem throwing new light on Love's some aspects, but 'Love is not a God It is a helpless thing Without a power to persuade' is partly true and partly not. May be it is my way of looking but the poem is very nicely penned. Thanks with best wishes and love Ravindra

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 1/21/2010 6:42:00 PM

What wonderful words Daver and would be a great entry for Matt's new contest but he does not allow the word love to be used in the poem though the contest is called I Love You Because... maybe u could substitute the word in your poem for another word, as I did with my entry Cozy Confections, and enter it .. this would be a winner for sure... thankxxx for your nice comments tonight ... luv.. Linda-Marie..

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/16/2010 3:07:00 PM

This one has lots of things in it to think about, Dave! It is very good writing, and this was my favorite part: Love’s power is That it has no secrets Will allow none (when it's unconditional, any thought should be one that is not met with condemnation) Luv (notice I never say "love") Andea

Elaine George

Date: 1/14/2010 12:54:00 PM

DAve, I have sent you the correct email via the internet. Love, Lainie

Audrey Haick

Date: 1/13/2010 8:28:00 AM

Deep, thought-provoking write, Daver! Goes to my favs.! I especially like "...love's power is that it has no secrets will allow none..." Great write! Peace, Audrey

Brian Strand

Date: 1/13/2010 8:10:00 AM

Daver thank you for your welcome comments today.rgds Brian

James Peranteau

Date: 1/13/2010 6:16:00 AM

God is "LOVE",...we can not compare to this,...yet, we are instructed to love one another,..and this fine write mine friend is helping me understand much more clearly this command. Great poem Sir !!!!!! james

Elaine George

Date: 1/13/2010 2:11:00 AM

It just is! You blew me away with this one, Dave. Love, Lainie

Sara Kendrick

Date: 1/12/2010 2:09:00 PM

Good ideas on expressing your ideas about what love really is. Keep the creative writes flowing. Sara Thanks for the comments on my work.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 1/12/2010 1:55:00 PM

Awesome perspective on love from your younger days, Daver. I love the line about love needing no thought. Feelings are driven by emotions not the brain -- sometimes that is unfortunate. And I may be the only reader who can relate to the concept of "Harmonia," but I absolutely love this poem! Great work, my friend. Love you, Carolyn

Solomon Storm

Date: 1/12/2010 1:34:00 PM

some of your stanzas are epic, others drivel. the poem was enjoyable, and compelling you oughta change first lines, though. are you refering to some guru on some fictional hill, or what? those lines make it difficult to get into the poem till the rest of the poem takes over your mood. gurus on hills don't know what love is or they'd be with loved ones, or tell you about God. no other options, in my humble opinion. thanks for a good read,fellow gentlepoet.

Date: 1/12/2010 1:11:00 PM

So much depth with an interesting perspective for the reader to reflect on. You certainly have mastered the power of words in this poem. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and for your kind comment. Karen

Carrie Richards

Date: 1/12/2010 12:02:00 PM

Oh my......this line....."love is a helpless thing....without a power to persuade......oh my....that it simply stunning, insightful and so, so, true....