Love Poem: We Do Not Choose Love
Edward Clapham Avatar
Written by: Edward Clapham

We Do Not Choose Love

We do not choose love

We do not choose love, though it may seem that way 
in the ceaseless dance of man with woman,
when hot fires urge us to approach and flirt and 
hope it leads to more exciting things.

We do not choose love, though we may try 
and prowl the jungles of the pub, or night club 
or email universe, full of evermore glittering stars 
that draw us on, with promises seldom kept.

We do not choose love, though I have tried and
thought myself successful; content with my choice,
happy in the meeting of minds and the joy of
physical expression of adoration and respect.

We do not choose love: love chooses us and 
builds a precipice before us and we fall,
as I fell for you, and continue to fall, endlessly,
ever deeper in longing for your company.

We fall in love; stumbling, blinded by a light 
inexplicable, into a bottomless descent where 
each look and word accelerates our fall into
both despair and joy.

We fall in love: and I see no end to my fall into 
the despair and joy of knowing you: despair that 
I know not how to secure your heart; joy in your 
presence and sometimes glances of affection.