Without Conditions

I love you most for your imperfections

and even more for those major flaws.

I can hold them like a spring bouquet

that you gave to me in early May,

wilted and torn, worn from the chill of winds.

Yet I'd gladly take those blooms

regardless that their stems are bent,

regardless that they're broken

and more so as they've lost their scent

for they are but a token.

They remind me of me,

quite often in a boat at sea,

struggling to stay afloat.

Quite often perceiving simplicity

as complex,

it's the wiring of me,

the way my brain functions.

I have my flaws too,

but my doors remain open,

accessible and true.

Reviews

[lightsong]

You always amaze me with your ability to express with a powerful impact yet with simplicity of words, I find here my poem "the lyrics" gentle at times, tough at times, easy at times, complicated, cold at times, warm in another... my smile didn't leave my face from the line one until the last, the essence of love that flowed through was pure and genuine. Thank You my dearest Chris for keep sharing your "perfection" poetry with us.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear lightsong, alwats you are so very generous with your reviews. You have a huge heart and I thank you. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... to be aware of how a Fortune can be your Friend with whom you Live and survive is indeed a Gift. Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year filled with Dreams and Streams of Peace and Goodwill. softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dearest Pat, thank you for giving this old poem an airing. Have a wonderful Christmas Day and all the best for the new year to you and all those you hold dear.

Chris

[Laz K.]

The adage, "Love is blind," can be understood in different ways. On the one hand, we cannot decide whom to fall in love with. Love has no regard for social norms, or even for our own perceived likes or dislikes. It is as if it were blind to what we thought we loved.

On the other hand, when in love, we don't see flaws, only lovely, loveable traits, and idiosyncrasies - as you express in this poem.

I like the imagery you use: "spring bouquet/wilted, torn," or "boat at sea/struggling to stay afloat." They are vivid and suitable for the subject.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Laz for stopping by and sharing your valued thoughts. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Pauline]

Hi Chris. A truthful ink written with love.
I have to say that I agree with both John and Andrew in as much as it does seem to speak of unconditional love whether it be children or lover. I know that you have a big heart Chris so who knows what you're capable of.
I know that I'm glad to have you as a friend.

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely review Pauline. I'm so pleased you crossed over and found me here. Have a lovely weekend.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I agree with John, unconditional love plays out here. I just hope it sticks around because these days there is so many terms and conditions, love seems to come with a cost!

[Chris Shaw]

Too many aren’t prepared to work on relationships. At the first sign of a problem, they are out the door :)

Thank you Andrew for stopping by to read this old poem.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, indeed... there are times when I have been a "bunch of withered flowers"...
the scent of beauty well spent. Perhaps a few seeds will germinate and I can
have another chance to cultivate a better presence upon the Crescent of Time.
A Poem that shows possibility in a fertile environment. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

I think we have all felt like those withered flowers Pat. Thanks for stopping by to check this old write out. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

it's a two way ticket accepting another's
imperfections as well as acknowledging
our own and being undeniably okay
with it even embracing it

without condition's the love is always
there ..such a lovely introspective poem
ChrIs..well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran for your continued support of my efforts. An older poem out for an airing.
read moreThank you Fran for your continued support of my efforts. An older poem out for an airing.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

the introductory couplet cracks me up ... that second line is a corker says i ... i love those really big bodacious flaws you have :))))))))))))))))
but i am not strayed by it ... your title and poem keep me on track .. unconditional love is what we all need to both give and receive .. how precious the person or persons who share it together... ahhhhhhh some day Chris .... some day in another time and space humanity will perceive and practice such ancient wisdom ... and love one another ... V2 brings a child to mind ... with chubby hand full of flowering weeds for Ma ... so proud and innocent ... i have to share a story about my older daughter who at the tender age of about 6 brought to me a handful of "rocks" that were so perfectly shaped and sized all the same ... she held them up to me with such wonder and excitment and i, as gently as i could, told her no ... those are rabbit turds honey. .... she was so deflated i wished i had taken them and perhaps given them a place on the mantle ... or said "Let's paint them" ... ah well ... we do the best we can eh!? and the hard rocks of reality must teach us lessons as well ... "Without Conditions" reminds me today to think of others first ... i'm taking it with me

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E, I love this review. Your story about your daughter and the rabbit turds really made me smile. I:m not sure I would have suggested painting them either:)
Thank you big time for stopping by to share.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

;) .......................

[Miss Sharon]

What a beautiful write Chris! My favorite lines are in the closing lines...(I have my flaws too, but my doors remain open, accessible and true.) Lovely! ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Sharon for your encouraging review. All good wishes and thanks for stopping by.
read moreMany thank yous Sharon for your encouraging review. All good wishes and thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Dave]

Surely there are no boundaries to your love. For all the good and bad that have happened your love is still there. The trials and tribulations have done nothing to diminish it. If anything, it has made it stronger.
Fortunately, I know too well of what you speak. You too are blessed.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your lovely review. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris