Love’s labour’s lost which seeks home out of place:
an unswept hearth, a heart as black as coal.
It rather should burn steadily, keeping pace
with kindred spirits, render true hearts whole
Love’s labour’s patient, understanding, kind
seeks not to self-aggrandise, or deceive;
seeks rather to spread light, though it be blind:
Love’s lantern light shines that we might receive
Its message, which, enduring as the hills
keeps company with us, spans mountain heights
and plummets through the valleys, streams and rills
to bring direction in the darkest night
And you, my love, my compass have become
proof positive of all I’ve overcome
© 2022 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
Written for dVerse
Tonight, I’m hosting Poetics, and we pay homage to The Bard, on the anniversary of his baptism…
The bar opens at 3pm E.T. – hope to see you there!
Such a powerful piece, Ingrid.”rather to spread light, though it be blind” 💕
Thank you Grace. They do say ‘love is blind…’ 🙂
My pleasure. Absolutely 💕
Love the metaphor… the beacon of the lighthouse is so strong…though there is such a thing as false lights that lead the ships astray to look them for their cargo
Thank you Bjorn
We all look for that compass. Beautiful!
Thank you Mary 🙏
Those first two lines are a great set-up. Really nice.
Thank you Maria!
Softer and softer, as your verse unfolds, until your last lines, written surely directly from your heart. Some beautiful philosophy there, too, hidden among the lines…reads so nicely.
Thank you Ain!
Ain, I love yours but cannot make a comment there, sorry … good luck with your venture!
The last couplet is magical. The light woven and the labor for sure not lost. Well done, Ingrid.
Thank you K. 🙏
Wonderful poem and words strung sharing your light Ingrid!
💖
“spans mountain heights
and plummets through the valleys, streams and rills
to bring direction in the darkest night”
Thank you Cindy! 🌟
💖💖
What a soul-filling and thought-provoking piece, Ingrid! I love the tone and mood here.
Thank you Lamittan!
Most welcome, Ingrid.
Lovely piece. 🤗
Thanks Joni ❤️
My pleasure. ❤️
What a lovely beautiful flow and rhythm, magical words weaved into your poetry.
Thank you kindly 🙏
Stunning write, Ingrid. It’s amazing how much love is available when our hearts are open. Love this one.
I’m glad you like it Jeff, thank you!
Interesting precepts
Much💛love
Thanks Gillena 💖
Gillena – I love your poem but can’t comment on your blog – seems to be an issue with Blogger!
It’s great to read such lovely, joyous poetry from you, Ingrid! As is often the case in your poems, place lends added beauty. The imagery is exquisite as you describe the water descending into the valley below. I can almost hear those rills! <3 Wishing you many more bright and happy days!
I do take a lot from the local scenery which I am blessed to have around me, Cheryl! Thank you 🙏
such a joyful loving tribute … love should never “self-aggrandise, or deceive” and you have nailed it with this gentle melodic flow …
Thanks Kate 🙏
This is beautiful Ingrid, I especially like “Love’s lantern light shines that we might receive “. Your rhythmic sense enhances the words, as always. (K)
Thank you Kerfe!
Beautiful poem and reminiscent to me of 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
I think I did have that in the back of my mind when I was writing. Glad you spotted it!
Very beautiful!
Thank you Carol 🙏
Stunning, Ingrid!
Thank you Kim!
Very lovely! The Bard would be proud
Thank you! Praise indeed 😅
Beautiful metaphor, lovely sonnet and that last couplet…sigh…
Ingrid, the Bard would certainly approve! ❤️
I hope so, Punam, thank you! ❤️
You are so welcome. 🥰
‘Love’s lantern light shines that we might receive’ – what a beautiful line.
Thank you Marion! 💡
A true love does not seek to self aggrandise – and also the strength of hills as if they watch over the fragility of love down the ages, loved this Ingrid.
Thank you Paul!
Most welcome Ingrid.
Such a beautiful sonnet, Ingrid! I love the imagery of the lighthouse, and the final couplet is perfect.
Thank you Merril! I took the day off so I am very behind with reading, but will catch up soon 😅
A poem as splendid as love is.
Thank you!
Wow! This is Beautiful.
Thank you so much 🙏
Love really is powerful! Loved it!
Thank you!