Selfless Love - a response of sorts, dear VI

Selfless Love

The measure of love is found by many
in the give and take of items and things,
with little reflection on passion’s part,
and the simple gift of self and heart.
.
‘Unconditional love’ comes with conditions
forged by silent greed and self-abuse,
and simpering cries for help from those
unwilling to effect choice based on love.

A phrase that should embrace no judgment
falls on the stones of selfish, prideful hurt;
and echoes in the spoken accusation,
“If you love me you will do this for me!”

Nay, -- loving unconditionally
must include the ability to say, “no!”
for demanded love, or even affection,
debases the giver and love itself.

What we should nurture with every thought
is ‘selfless love, as a practiced art;
to expect nothing in return or claim,
but commitment to faith in love itself.

What others may choose to do with our gift
is beyond our grasp and expectations;
so there can be no grief or ego brush
if we are to find innocence and Light.

That I love you should be without question,
yet can never be demonstrated or filled;
so limited by our human frailties,
and soon dissipated by life’s travail.

So you must embrace my presence instead,
accepting that ‘self’ is all I can give –
a flickering, yearning dream of a flame
that is your right to protect and shelter.


As close gathered embers support each other
a cold stone may be seen from those outside
whose withered capacity for loving
ignores warmth unless they can have it all.

We surely share eternal knowledge
that the Divine Presence will ever breathe
into our sheltered reflective haven
that we can warm the world with selfless love.

But by granting ‘unconditional love’
at another’s call or demand or plea,
only enables their spiritual self-abuse
and destroys their capacity for creation.