They say love is like an open door. It draws us in, offering a sense of comfort and belonging. But just as easily as love reels us in, it can slip away, leaving us with memories and lessons learned. Jasmines In Her Hair by Kalpesh Desai offers a collection of poems that give insight into the nuances of love in all of its ups and downs.
Love is not a foreign concept to us. Our first notions of love stem from the stories we grow up on — the ones about true love and happily-ever-afters. From story books to romance films, we eventually form this image in our minds, picturing what it would be like once we finally meet the one. We imagine this person suddenly entering our lives, and all we can think about is how to spend every day, every minute, and every second with them.
There’s something about you,
That makes me want to hold you tight,
To sink into your eyes,
Hold you in my arms,
Make your days ever so bright.
Love—romantic love—can be thrilling and exciting, especially when you experience it for the first time. It’s all very new and it can be a bit scary, but what is it left for you to do when everything you know about love comes from fairytales? Growing up on these stories of great love can often translate to how we expect ourselves to experience it. They set our expectations of how love and relationships should be, but what happens when they aren’t met?
We made promises we couldn’t keep,
and tried to soar before we could leap.
As we grow up, we come to realize that these stories of love aren’t always what we make them out to be. Those who are given the chance to experience it firsthand eventually discover that love is not always easy and maybe, your first love isn’t always your last. People change, relationships may fall apart, and the intense feelings one once felt can fade. This shows that we never truly know what life has in store for us and how easily time can change us. Instead of being hung up over the mistakes and what-ifs, there is the possibility that accepting that love doesn’t always last can be liberating.
Perhaps
That emptiness you feel when it’s over,
Is nothing but space,
To newly seek and discover.
Life does not stop after first love fades — the world keeps turning and eventually, you heal and move on. Instead of clinging to the idea of a perfect love, perhaps we could learn to embrace the ebb and flow of relationships. Simply going through the motions of love and relationships can teach us valuable lessons and help us grow. By accepting the fact that love comes and goes, we open ourselves up to a more realistic and genuine experience. It could even lessen the pain of heartbreak after ending a relationship. Knowing this, we learn to appreciate love in the present moment and become more open to the possibilities that love may bring.
Maybe love isn’t what opens the door,
Perhaps it needs a lot, lot more.
Regardless of its outcomes, everyone deserves to experience love. Every time we encounter it, whether brief or lasting, can add beauty and significance to our lives. The joy of forming a new connection, the comfort of having a relationship, and the possibility of experiencing pain and heartbreak all contribute to our ever-evolving understanding of love.
Love, in all its complexities, is a worthwhile experience, thus we can find comfort in knowing that each encounter shapes who we are. We learn to love, to forgive, and to appreciate the uniqueness of each relationship.
Love as an open door invites us to enter and experience its wonders; and while there may come a time when we must exit, its impact will forever remain with us. In the end, whether the love we experience mirrors the stories we grow up with or takes on a different path altogether, we find beauty in the journey.
by Claire Salavante