On Love

What we collectively

don’t understand about love

has filled volumes

We keep trying

one person’s map or another,

we feel so sure at times

and then so doubtful,

and much of what we’re sure about 

is false, and as for what we doubt,

who knows if it is true?

And yet we keep on seeking it,

and somewhere deep inside we know

that something in us always loves

and so is always worthy

And any love we know

is real

and it will shine out

through our misconceptions —

every love will purify itself

until, with deep relief, we understand.

©Wendy Mulhern

August 7, 2019