What is love?

It’s

butterflies in the tummy

heart pounding, hands trembling

I want to spend my life

looking into your eyes;

It’s

holding hands without

chaining a soul –

glorying in being together

being one

while respecting that we are two;

It’s

wanting someone else’s happiness

as much as – or more – than your own;

It’s

a difficult balance

of compromise

understanding

agreeing and

agreeing to disagree;

It’s

giving up the last piece of your favorite pie

because it is also your loved one’s favorite;

It’s

showing up

even when you would rather stay in bed;

It’s

cooking dinner, doing laundry, mowing the grass

taking out the garbage, cleaning the toilet

washing dishes, food shopping;

It’s

working hard

working through

working together

because

your love

is worth

the effort;

As time passes

the years fly by

the life you share

is a living testament

to the fleeting

goosebumps

and sweaty hands

that fade with time -

buried

under the daily grind

the stresses imposed

by existence -

but which find a way to surface

now and again

if only you look

and remember

what is love.

*Starts singing L.O.V.E by Nat Cole*

L is for the way you look at me.

O is for the only one I see

V is very, very extraordinary

E is even more than anyone that you adore

To me, there are two types of love. There's a romantic love which is most often what people refer to and then there's a more friendship style of love. There is more to both of these types of love that some people don't really think about.

The platonic love, the kind between friends, can turn into a romantic love depending on the situation and I feel like a romantic love can turn into a platonic love. I believe that it is possible to stop loving someone that way.

Is there such a thing as love as first sight though? I would have to argue that there isn't. You can't love someone that you've only ever seen. (Rethinks every fangirling decision ever)But I do think that it's possible to love a person when you first talk to them. Their looks may be an added plus and you may be attracted to them but it's not until you can get to know that person that you can actually fall in love with them... their personality... their soul.

I feel like true love is something that is given to everyone whether it be platonic or romantic. Everybody has enough love to go around even if they may hold it inside and be unable to show. I believe that some people need to learn how to open up and love people.

I also believe that you do not have to see a person's appearance to fall in love with them rather its platonic or romantic.

So over all... that's my opinion on the subject of love. Not that I'm experienced 'cause I'm not. But I hope you enjoyed my little.... unprofessional essay on LOVE.

i ever so

shyly walked up

to the mirror and finally

introduced myself to myself.

i now believe in love at first sight

...

Investigating

cupid’s bite,

its point of origin:

valentine,

love at first sight;

red archer, arrow’s sin

The fire,

quick extinguished,

leaving evidence behind:

remnants of accelerant,

charred black

as love is

blind.

Shadows sweep the boulevards; winding their way around lampposts, climbing along trellises, slinking up shop walls.

A single shadow, attached to human feet must get lonely. Feeling cold, hard stones, metal and concrete along its edges only.

Darkness is simply the only time shadows can get together and play. Oh, the dances they dance, such an array.

We truly miss out on the nighttime display, of laughter and gaiety in the streets once past day.

A shadow does not merely disappear when the sun refuses to shine for a time. Does something not exist just because we cannot see it? Does it fail to exist all due to lack of [sun]shine?

But this, dear reader, is the timing of true mystique. These are the things we shall miss if we stop too long to blink.

Soulmates found in this darkness at daylight’s end. Meeting up in full moonlight, as the shadow dances descend.

The timbre of stars is like nothing a human ear could ever recount, for it only alights when shadows abound.

How else to explain the ignition of touch, that occurs when two “strangers” meet after the dusk?

Oh, dappy mortal, who thinks this mere fate. Did you not realize your shadow had already found your mate?

When humanity steps back, permitting the ethereal its part. Well, this is when true romance is aware in the heart.

So upon next moon’s cycle, when dusk begins its measured fade. Take a tiptoe out into moonlight’s cascade.

Beware ne’re to disturb, this ethereal dance, but instead simply view the gossamer beauty as pure happenstance.

For where mortal and spectral gaze upon one another, the spell hence is broken, the magic disentangled. Thus rendering the chance at true love eternally strangled.

But for those mere observers who catch a fleeting glimpse of the phantasmic, surely will know love’s quintessential magic.

Love is such a beautiful thing, right? How it can be unconditional and so true? How it can make you do things you’d never do before? And, how it remains attached to some of our fondest memories, and be the reason for living each day.

It’s love that locks any bond despite distance.

Love triumphs anger and regret.

Love is a gentle fire with a steady burn that resides inside of the depths of our hearts.

Love is honest, and full of relief.

We are spoiled with love.

Undoubtedly, there exists the souls of those who have been strengthened by lack of love.

It never makes them crave it less.

It only inspires them to find it in other ways.

Regardless of absence, we are loved in that we are valued at another day.

Most certainly, love is something we all want to feel.

Love, either with or without it, influences the most relatable music.

Love is a void we fill when we don’t have it.

But, sometimes when we have it, we are unsure how to handle it.

So, we lose it.

Nonetheless, resulting in our own personal journey for a new love.

It fascinates me how long love can last.

Between humans,

Between animals.

So precious, is love.

And, it is because we love while alive that life, itself, is also precious.

With love

Jasmine

Love is a gift to be unwrapped and treasured. Love will find you when your not looking for it. Love is given and taken for granted. Love can mean a many thing to different people. Love can be cold and hard. Love can be light. Love can be meaningful. Love can be a void. Love shared is the best feeling in the world. Love can be platonic. Love can be at first sight who are we to judge. Twin souls destined to be together in the wrong relationships find's love on a rebound who are we to blame. False love is death to the heart. One can love so hard it hurts. Love can be one sided. Its never fair. Love is endless even death has a soul. Love is flight or fight that thin love between love and hate. Wrong love breeds relationshits. True love breeds a relationship. It doesn't matter if it's online or in person or whenever love comes your way. When a person gives love or feels love there is no stopping it. You will know and feel the connection. It is as natural as nature itself. Love is what makes the world go round and the heart grow founder. Love is love. It has no color, rhyme, or reason. There is nothing more sweeter or more better than Love. Then True Love of Self is better because if you don't love self: how in the hell you gonna love someone else with your true heart. Who want's true Love?

I definitely believe in attraction at first sight, whether it be platonic or sexual. We have all had those moments, the palpable sexual chemistry, the moment your eyes lock, the warm feelings from a simple conversation. That said, all strong feelings towards others need to be nurtured before they turn into love. You can have all the physical or emotional attraction to someone in the world, but it will not grow any deeper unless you make an effort to really get to know that person. These feelings can grow and turn into love once you understand someone's history, accept their flaws, and make a commitment to stand by them even in times where you are not attracted to them or don't like what they have to say. Attraction is shiny, where love is the enduring test when the tarnish begins to show.

I don't believe in soulmates...not anymore. But I do believe in connections, I believe in feeling comfortable around a person, in knowing that they do not judge you. That your quirks and 'strange' habits are not something to be frowned on but rather interesting puzzles that when put together make you whole. Is that love? I don't know but I do know that it's not feeling scared or anxious. Love does not make you feel inadequate. It does not learn your vulnerabilities to use as a tool for destruction. I am learning that when you can spend time with a person and their scent, the way they smile.. the questions they ask, when they remember that you like salt and vinegar flavoured potato chips.. when they can feel your sadness and just hold you without expectation, when you can laugh in their presence and when they leave you with a sense of peace, that's love. I have been instantly attracted to a person I met online but our conversations, the way he made me laugh even though he could not see me have sustained that connection. Sometimes these connections do not last but I would not exchange that feeling of connection with another soul for anything..