We Do Not Choose Love Poem by Edward Clapham

We do not choose love, though it may seem that way
in the ceaseless dance of man with woman,
when hot fires urge us to approach and flirt and
hope it leads to more exciting things.

We do not choose love, though we may try
and prowl the jungles of the pub, or night club
or email universe, full of evermore glittering stars
that draw us on, with promises seldom kept.

We do not choose love, though I have tried and
thought myself successful; content with my choice,
happy in the meeting of minds and the joy of
physical expression of adoration and respect.

We do not choose love: love chooses us and
builds a precipice before us and we fall,
as I fell for you, and continue to fall, endlessly,
ever deeper in longing for your company.

We fall in love; stumbling, blinded by a light
inexplicable, into a bottomless descent where
each look and word accelerates our fall into
both despair and joy.

We fall in love: and I see no end to my fall into
the despair and joy of knowing you: despair that
I know not how to secure your heart; joy in your
presence and sometimes glances of affection.