It doesn’t matter
what you love
or who you love.
Just love.
It seems important
to know that
despite who you are
(or THINK you are)
that you can affirm
without question
that you are
CAPABLE of love,
and that you know
the difference between
loving and needing.
Many of us aren’t even sure.
And so we confuse the two.
And so we become
a slave to our needs.
And so we fill those needs,
but we’re never satisfied.
Love is so much simpler than that.
Just love.
Is it maddening
to hear someone say that to you?
There’s your so-called
“problem” right there.
Just love.
Perhaps you actually BELIEVE
that you don’t know how.
And that it’s a difficult thing to figure out.
But love is the flow of what you are.
Set aside your notions,
and your emotions,
set aside logic,
and just ALLOW it.
Just love.
Love is not logical or judgemental.
Just love.
8/24
Analysis of “Just Love” – A Poetic Exploration of Love’s Essence:
The poem “Just Love” is a succinct yet profoundly evocative piece that explores the simplicity, depth, and transformative power of love. Through its minimalist structure and potent language, the poem delves into the essence of love, challenging preconceived notions and inviting readers to embrace the purity of this universal emotion.
Simplicity of Expression:
The poem opens with a stark statement: “It doesn’t matter / what you love / or who you love. / Just love.” This directness immediately captures the reader’s attention and serves as a foundation for the subsequent contemplation. The simplicity of this opening emphasizes the universality of love — an emotion that transcends categories and distinctions.
Beyond Identity and Needs:
The poem underscores the importance of recognizing the capacity for love within every individual, irrespective of their identity or self-perception. It addresses the distinction between loving and needing, highlighting how confusion between the two can lead to a state of dissatisfaction and dependency. The poem’s assertion that “Love is so much simpler than that. / Just love” challenges the complexities we often attach to love and encourages a return to its fundamental essence.
A Call to Liberation:
The poem’s repeated refrain, “Just love,” acts as both a mantra and a call to liberation. The repetition serves to emphasize the purity and immediacy of the message, urging readers to release any mental barriers or misconceptions they may have about love. This refrain also carries a tone of gentle insistence, inviting readers to shed their inhibitions and connect with the inherent flow of love.
Transcending Notions and Allowing Love:
The poem urges readers to transcend notions, emotions, and logic, and to “just ALLOW” love. This directive highlights the concept that love is a natural state, not something that requires analysis or justification. By encouraging readers to set aside mental constructs and surrender to love’s flow, the poem promotes a sense of openness and vulnerability.
Non-Judgmental and Unconditional:
The lines “Love is not logical or judgemental. / Just love” underscore a key characteristic of love — its non-judgmental and unconditional nature. The poem reminds us that love doesn’t adhere to logic or critical assessment. Instead, it flows freely and encompasses all without discrimination.
The Maddening and the Liberating:
The poem acknowledges the potential frustration that can arise when hearing the simple directive “Just love.” This acknowledgment addresses the resistance that some individuals may feel when confronted with such a direct and seemingly uncomplicated command. This tension between the maddening nature of the directive and its underlying liberating essence encapsulates the human struggle to embrace the innate simplicity of love.
Temporal and Universal:
The poem concludes with the date “8/24,” a reminder of the poem’s creation and its temporal context. However, this date also carries a universal aspect, serving as a reminder that the essence of love is eternal and timeless, transcending the confines of specific moments.
In Conclusion:
“Just Love” is a poetic gem that encapsulates the profound and transcendent nature of love. Through its minimalist yet impactful language, the poem invites readers to shed their preconceptions, embrace their inherent capacity for love, and allow the transformative flow of this universal emotion to guide their journey. The poem’s beauty lies in its ability to convey a powerful message with simplicity and depth, inviting readers to connect with the essence of love that resides within us all.