on love

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
                                        ~ Joni Mitchell

does anyone really know
what love really is?
many have tried to 
explain what is...
    unexplainable

poets and lyricists 
novelists, screenwriters
for the history of mankind
have tried and tried again
    all succeed in part and
    all have failed in the whole 

love evolves with age
it is personal 
it is part genetic 
and for certainly sure
forged by experience

it is everlasting 
and neverlasting
cynically clouded
or forever pending
it is storybookish
or unrequited, coveted 
carnal, platonic, filial
supportive, sarcastic
uplifting or berating
painful and healing
everything and nothing
the full gradient in between
it is none of the above
and all at the same time
    in the same person
    the same couple

in love,
we can be daring
stupid, cunning, dashing,
sly, reserved, timid, or
just our awkward selves 

it makes our lives
or ruins our days
it is liberating

love just is...