Tag Archives: Postaday

There are two invisible powers

And both go by the name of “Love.”

Both share earthly symbols

Like a flower or a dove,

Both can feel spectacular

And to lose them feels rotten,

But only one is cherished

While the other is forgotten.

The first love, which we celebrate

Comes in many ways and rates,

Whether flourishing in one glance

Or through countless many dates.

It’s an all-consuming passion

That no drug can replicate,

Designed by God or nature

To ensure two people mate.

I prefer the second love,

Which many haven’t known,

Which can’t be felt by starry eyes

Or fire in the bone.

This love is not a feeling

But an action that we take

Not to gratify ourselves

But for another’s sake.

This second love is not reserved

For those with lovely faces.

Instead it’s most important for

Those found in darkened places,

And yet with equal vigor

To your wife and to your foe

You manifest the second love

And to both parties show.

You needn’t feel amorous

To help a stranger carry

A heavy bag, nor should you feel

Obliged to them to marry.

And yet the baffling part about

This second love these days

In when you show a person this

They’ll spurn it seven ways;

“Shee’s clingy,” or “He’s needy,”

Or “He’s trying way too hard,”

Or “He’s creepy,” or “She’s lying,

“So I must be on my guard.”

In most cases the rebuke

Is one of self-defense,

For many who show kindness

Are expecting recompense.

So when one shares the second love

For nothing but the good

It seems what was well-meaning

Is oft misunderstood.

I hope if you’re a giver

Of this secret second love,

The love for human brothers

Unconnected by their blood,

That you do not forget the gift

Or cease to feel or give,

For you’re an ever-scarcer breed

Who knows how best to live.

And if you may receive the gift

I formerly did mention

That you may understand it

As a love with good intention.

And if you’ve never thought of love

As something more than lust

I hope you read these verses

With an open mind, and trust

That if you try to love someone

For their sake, not your own,

That you will feel a universe

In which you’re less alone.