LOVE - A WIDE RANGE OF MEANINGS

                                                           LXXXVIII

With a language as rich as English
It's really very strange
That the verb "love" is used
To cover such a wide range.

It describes how we feel about
Chocolate -  a tree -  a flower,
And your feelings for your newborn
Within the very first hour.

We use it to refer to Spring
Or Summer - and the sun,
A spouse or a lover,
A best-beloved one.

It's used in connection with
A country or cuisine
And family relationships
Deep rooted in the gene.

It's used for a hobby
A game or favourite sport
And the sort of friendships where
Time and distance count for naught.

How many words do the French have
To cover the experience of l'amour?
In English I think we need
At least a couple more.

But strangely - even though
The same word is used
For a continuum of emotions -
We don't seem to get confused.

July 2003