People in Love
The force of human love works in the strangest ways
To draw from characters the best and worst of traits.
People in love are often self-deceived
For, when they love, their biased senses lead
The balance of their judgements all awry;
They cannot see gross faults of character
Or, if they see, they think they can reform
Base human natures into consonance
With some idealised, congenial
Epitome of excellence. The sum
Of social history reveals, (alas!),
That such intents are flawed, like impure glass.
People in love are often at their worst
For, when they love, they want to isolate
In jealous exclusivity the source
Of their obsessed infatuation’s fire.
All other influences, save their own
Upon their loved-one, must be nullified;
Unless they lead to self-advantages
In the possession of their heart’s desire.
They claim: ‘All’s fair in love. Nothing should ban
Total absorption of woman and man’.
People in love are often at their best
For, when they love, they share between themselves
Those intimate familiarities
Which sign the pleasures, thrills and hopes they feel
Deserve their noblest generosities.
No service is too mean, no cost too high,
No problem too severe, that overcomes
A lack of favour or augments its store.
Self-sacrifice, to benefit the loved,
Ultimate symbol their devotion’s proved.
The force of human love works in the strangest ways
To draw from characters the best and worst of traits.
