Not In Love

Why should people want me to want to fall 
In love? The relinquishing of control 
Leaves little to be desired, for all
That's done to make it more palatable. 
Strip it down to its very essence, 
And you'll find deception masquerading 
As love. For all that's said in love's defense
(not withstanding the above), there's simply no persuading
A fool in love. To oscillate between
Fawning and aggression, heartbreak and desire, all
The while mistaking the constant influx of keen
Emotion as a sign of the ties 
Of affection that bind me to my lover - 
What could possibly be worth such an endeavor?

Etruscan Sculpture from UC Berkeley’s Doe Library.

Photo courtesy of Quinn McConnell.