Love? Lust? Poem by JAMES T. ADAIR

when young women speak of love
it sounds more like lust
and the moments sound
so plush

But this is love's charade
because in time the truth is on parade
and what now makes hearts go pitter-patter
later doesn't matter

Life has a way of revealing truth
and often truth comes as pain
or sadness that rocks your very core
and makes all seem in vain

But truth marches on
pedal to the floor
long after your heart
Until you can't face it anymore

And then you know more
what is love
and what is lust
one lasts and one goes bust

Moments of passion
later go out of fashion
and what matters more
is love's soft and gentle way

Lust comes quickly
with the promise of love
and all is wonderful
kissed by a dove

But Love comes slower
or not at all
and when it does
forever you may fall

And nothing will likely every
be the same
and little masquarading gestures
will one day seem to you so lame

Love will show itself in the smallest of ways
and its memory will last for years
instead of days
and it will heal all your past sadness

What some call love
is not the same
because LOVE is more
than just a name

And if you ever find it
don't be in a rush
because real love is lasting
and not just a crush

Men often promise
with words and affection
and rarely feel them true
but sooner or later they do

And when a man truly understands
he says it with his determination
and with his hands
and with his kindness

You must have lost love
in order to find it
You'll know in time
that this is true

The test of love
is only time
which may age love
like the finest vintage wine

Should you find true love
for certain
It will last until
the final curtain

It's final act
will be its finest hour
and it's encore
will be it's lasting evermore

2008 © James T. Adair