How Do I Love Thee Better?

Renowned romantic,
Romeo confessed his
love for fair Juliet,
impassioned locution
of sweet young love,
innocence unspoiled.

“How do I love thee?”

A query so complex
the Greeks declared,
“To best understand,
we must divide what
is immeasurable into
quantifiable boxes.

Ludus for flirting,
Eros for passion,
Pragma for partner,
Philia for friendship,
Storge for family,
Agape for humanity.”

A very worthy list
to be sure, and
though incomplete
does beg the question,
“With so much love,
who has time to hate?”

Eternal mystery,
our soul’s mission
often shrouded by
many false starts,
the next question
haunts us forever,

“How do I love thee better?”

Romeo, winking, says,
“You just have no fear!
Strive to love to the
depth, breadth, and height
your heart can reach.
True love is boundless.”

How Do I Love Thee Better? is an excerpt from my ebook Becoming Bigger: In a World That Wants to Keep You Small.

© Susan L Hart 2023

7 thoughts on “How Do I Love Thee Better?”

VJ October 25, 2023 at 8:45 am

Wow! I love how you break down the types of love. Personally, hated teaching Romeo and Juliet to youngsters, who overly dramatize love without such a context, lol

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Hart Inspirations Post authorOctober 25, 2023 at 9:16 am

I can see why you hated it. Lol Young people can easily play victim to the stereotype of romantic love. Unfortunately Shakespeare’s famous play”Romeo & Juliet” perpetuates it. It’s only through life experience that we begin to see and understand the true infinite nature and complexity of this thing we call love.

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1. VJ October 25, 2023 at 2:58 pm
  
  Absolutely!
  
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