Facets of Love

For young men about to get lost in love's spell

Young men know not what matters most in love;
they're blinded by the jewel's light hope wore.
That what he wants for them will rise above
the needs an old man knows of gems amour.

Youth rushes into passion's brilliance ~
would cut the facets of a complex stone;
before they learn of love's resilience,
or how to polish trust that time will hone.

Forever is a humble man inspired,
when patience placed in honest hearts with care
composed by great respect ~ now much desired;
his faith is hope ... eternity to share.

A lad should seek man's wisdom ~ listen well,
before his sight's lost, in a diamond's spell.

2023

Author's Note

As if I know anything about it.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

to me, there are different facets of love; young people are innocent in many ways and passion is in the fore; they must learn as they mature their relationships; as love grows, so does wisdom... and that is on another level of love....you speak of faith and eternity and that, in my opinion, comes from a person of wisdom and patience. I love the flow of your sonnet....the song of your words
Warmly, B

[William Michael Reeves]

Patience I have. Wisdom is still a work in progress. Thanks Betty, have a great holiday!

[Betty Hermelee]

MY dear friend… you have a great holiday as well
Warmly, B

[Richard🖌]

Good Saturday mornin' to ya, William 🌤️

Such a very nice rendition of the English Sonnet you've so skillfully composed and shared here, Syr Poet. And, how vividly your words dance upon the page to inspire and please the admiration of an appreciatively discerning mind's-eye.

I've found that (when trying) defining any all-compassing facet of "love" to be a near impossibility, though, you've assuredly done an interesting job of exemplifying it in a certain facet of enlightenment … most of which I find both entertaining and intriguing.

A number of issues caught the eye, which I'll share by message, if you'd like.
It's great to see you posting! ⁓ Richard🖌

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you Richard. A good review from a discerning reader such as you is greatly appreciated. Trying to cover all the facets of love within the confines of a Sonnet is no easy task. A crown could be written on the subject. I'm glad you enjoyed this and I would certainly appreciate any constructive criticism, feedback or suggestions you have. I struggled with the need to express my ideas and maintain proper meter and form. Particularly in the couplet. I tried to force 'man' soft in 'seek man's wisdom', but I still stumble there as I reread it. And as usual, punctuation is a beast I'm still trying to tame. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Arundass TP]

Beautiful lines. Enjoyed reading 🙂

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. I had written the Volta for another poem that was a collaboration that got scrapped, so I built this poem around that.

[peter Charlesworth]

What is Love?

As you say the young man is blinded by the glitter the beauty (To the eye)

Once married the passion fades
The couple share their lives together

eventually they age The youthfull beauty diminishes; they become less active

Eventually one of them becomes more, and more frail

The frail partner comes to rely on the stronger more and more
The stronger partner takes care of all, or most of the daily chores
Helps the other to walk upstairs even to dressing them

married a long time

[William Michael Reeves]

Your story is exactly what I meant when I wrote 'learn of love's resilience'. I have an understanding of some of your feelings. My soul mate was quadrapalegic. Perhaps passion becomes care. Thank you peter.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree William.
"A lad should seek man's wisdom ~ listen well,
before his sight's lost, in a diamond's spell."
But when we are filled with piss and vinegar. We act before we think. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

Yes! It takes a lifetime of pissin' the vinegar out of ourselves to start thinking ... with something other than what we piss with. Right right?

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right William.

[Nima.Hope]

So I guess you're saying to win someone's heart,trust should be the first thing to be gained fully. I wonder what true love is man. I have failed twice, and I feel I am beginning to lose the sense of true love. Like an old man whom love seems like a fairy tale to. Can you give me a piece of advice? I'm confused.....
Email me🙏

[William Michael Reeves]

What is true love? That's a big question Nima. It would take a crown of Sonnets to answer that. Love is so complex, which is one of the points of my poem. And I think everyone would probably have a different answer. It's a little like poetry ... it is what we say it is. I feel the simple answer is true love is when two people share the same feelings. I wouldn't say it starts with trust though. Trust is like commitment. It is unconditional. It's there or it's not. Only in time can it be recognized. That's what I mean by 'polish trust that time will hone'. When commitment and trust become something to work on, questioned, they are gone. Everybody's gem is going to be cut differently. My point that in our youth we don't really see all the aspects of love, is just simply that we don't have enough of the experience to not be blinded by the facets that have a little more shine. Passion, lust, the hope that whom we love feel the same. Powerful emotions that eclipse the aspects of love that can sustain it for a lifetime. Respect, admiration, comfort and familiarity, support, patience and understanding. The need for all that, and each other. If I look back at the loves in my life I felt were true, they encompassed those basic ingredients. You haven't failed in love. Your feelings are as true as you felt. But if the feelings aren't mutual there is no truth in the union. You can't win someone's heart. A heart can only be given as a gift. The tricky part is to not be overwhelmed by those initial feelings. Have patience. Your early experiences in love are part of the process. The diamond is rough in the beginning. As time cuts the stone with our individual needs, wants and desires it becomes the Gem Amour.

I hope that helps. You gave me a good idea for a crown of Sonnets by asking. A Sonnet about each aspect of love. Thanks Nima.

Bill

[Nima.Hope]

Such true and wise words man. I save these words of yours. Now I can see what t things were wrong in my earlier trying for love.
Crown of sonnets is a thrilling idea. I'm waiting to read the crown of sonnets of yours.
I thank you sincerely. Such a delight to chat with you.
Best wishes my dear friend
Nima

[Nima.Hope]

So I guess you're saying to win someone's heart,trust should be the first thing to be gained fully. I wonder what true love is man. I have failed twice, and I feel I am beginning to lose the sense of true love. Like an old man whom love seems like a fairy tale to. Can you give me a piece of advice? I'm confused.....
Email me🙏

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Sounds like true love to me. nicely penned.

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. Truly lovely that you heard my pen's truth.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

those stones were uncomplicated in youth...sometimes I yearn for that again...
to be less wise, and still love like that.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

Those were the days my friend ... when we didn't know love could end.