"Love Is..."

An attempt to define a nebulous feeling that chafes at definition.

“Love Is….”

 

         How many thousands of poets have scratched their heads, groping for the elusive words to define a feeling that actively defies definition? How many songwriters, feeling the sting of rejection or the euphoria of acceptance, have labored to put to music a notion that is musical, in and of itself? How many self-proclaimed “aurthorities” on love have written books to try to explain a concept of which they possess no more expertise than you or me? How many rhetorical questions in a row can I possibly string together before this keyboard starts smoldering?

          The dictionary defines love as “a deep and tender feeling of affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons.” Boy, say that on a stage and there will not be a dry eye in the house…right? It’s amazing how such a warm and personal feeling can sound so antiseptic, cold and sterile. Let’s look elsewhere, shall we??

 

          It can be said that love is, doubtless, the single most misused word in our language. Examples: “Mmm, I just love the pecan pie served here!...” Don’t you simply love these earrings?”…”I ♥ New York,” for Pete’s sake!! People misuse words when they don’t understand the correct meaning…we have now come full circle in our little exercise. Hmmmm……

 

          So, what is love, then? Allow me to excavate the dark, romantic, poetic corner of my psyche, subject my findings to intense analysis, and then take a wild guess.

 

          Love can be as subtle as a whisper or as abrupt as an explosion. Love is conceived in the mind, born in the heart and resides in the furthest reaches of your soul. Love scampers adroitly and joyfully across the shifting landscapes of your dreams while acknowledging only a passing acquaintance with reality. Love is as elusive as the horizon or as obvious as a punch in the face. A lifetime can be spent in search of love until, on the threshold of giving up, there it is right in front of you….

 

          The first time you cuddle your newborn son in your arms and he grasps your finger and says, “ahh”…the moment you meet your (future) wife and your fingers tentatively touch…the first time your eyes meet across a crowded room and you realize, just then, that you would die for her…the time that you walked through the newly snow-covered streets, arm-in-arm, and noticed that the stars had never before appeared so close…Love is all of these things and so much more

 

          How can you define love? How can you hold a moonbeam in your hands?

 

 

riki © 2015

Author's Note

a love expression that is meant to be universal

Reviews

[Alisa Js]

Hello Dan,

Very thoughtful and introspective piece here.

Love is what makes everything else worthwhile, for without is, nothing matters.

It's one reason I love the Greek language so much, as the meanings are very specific and helpful when attempting to understand love.


Greek distinguishes several different senses in which the word "love" is used. For example, Ancient Greek has the words philia, eros, agape, storge, and xenia. However, with Greek (as with many other languages), it has been historically difficult to separate the meanings of these words totally. At the same time, the Ancient Greek text of the Bible has examples of the verb agapo having the same meaning as phileo.

Agape (ἀγάπη agápē) means love in modern-day Greek. The term s'agapo means I love you in Greek. The word agapo is the verb I love. It generally refers to a "pure," ideal type of love, rather than the physical attraction suggested by eros. However, there are some examples of agape used to mean the same as eros. It has also been translated as "love of the soul."

Eros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Greek word erota means in love. Plato refined his own definition. Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth by eros. Some translations list it as "love of the body."

Philia (φιλία philía), a dispassionate virtuous love, was a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality, and familiarity. Philia is motivated by practical reasons; one or both of the parties benefit from the relationship. It can also mean "love of the mind."

Storge (στοργή storgē) is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring.

Xenia (ξενία xenía), hospitality, was an extremely important practice in Ancient Greece. It was an almost ritualized friendship formed between a host and his guest, who could previously have been strangers. The host fed and provided quarters for the guest, who was expected to repay only with gratitude. The importance of this can be seen throughout Greek mythology—in particular, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

[dan]

Alisa, Now others may have yawned at all this Greek info (like "it's all Greek to me") but you happened to tell this to a guy who feels a day is wasted if I don't learn as much as I can. Languages fascinate me, as well as the way some languages have such similar words with subtle meaning differences. Thank you for telling me all this; I take it your are fluent in Greek? You know, it's been said that English is one of the hardest languages to learn because of all of our slang, regional dialects as well as words that sound alike (two, to, too) but mean differently. When I was in the Navy I was on the east coast, so when we deployed we did what were called 'a Med cruise,' I got to experience a little of Spain, France, Italy, Sicily, Turkey and Egypt. It's funny, but some places, especially France, Spain and Italy, had road signs or businesses contained words that are derivatives of some English words. So I could actually go places with a slight knowledge of some of what I experienced. And I took two years of Spanish and two years of German and I can probably count to 100 fluently in each. Languages.....fascinating stuff. Thank you for some Greek 101, made my day. take care...dan

[Alisa Js]

Not fluent, but can read and maybe speak a tad!!!

Glad you enjoyed my comments. As writers, we know that words have meanings...

powerfully so.

Alisa ;-)

[Robert]

Dan, Thanks for sending me to the piece if yours. You really explored love here and expressed so many feelings that so many of us have had or will have. Your right people have been writing about love, singing, etc. and no doubt us humans will continue to do that's. Love sometimes can't be explained maybe that's why all of us try so hard to.

[dan]

This piece was roughly about the time when my wife and my love for each other was just beginning to crystalize. All poets and writers can write about love in its millions of permutations but we will never adequately define it. It is simply a realm of being none of us is able to understand totally, an enigma wrapped in a mystery. take care...dan

[Workvio]

A very intelligent and logical approach to a concept that simply cannot be explained accurately and appropriately by mere mind of man ... This piece drew my attention in that I write philosophical articles from time to time (with a few already posted here), and I have a piece that was written from a different perspective totally, but which pretty much arrives at the same conclusions you have reached in your final line ... Seeing this piece inspires me to go ahead and post my own in support of what you have to share from your viewpoint and perspective ... Excellent writing and presentation ...

[dan]

Thank you, I put a lot of thought into this piece but wanted to keep it relatively light. Why? Because even though the concept of love is cloaked in neither rhyme nor reason and so much laborious thought is devoted to its total definition it all boils down to a fun time...if it is reciprocated totally. Which brought me to my playful ending line. Thanks so much for your insightful review. take care...dan

[~]

A great journey to your soul's yearning about love and finding out what it means. Thank you for the read request. I liked it very much. :)

[dan]

And thank you very much for your review. You are always appreciated! take care...dan

[~]

:) you are welcome my friend!