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The Poetry of Love

by John Joseph Rohrer

Copyright © 2014 John Joseph RohrerNew Standard Publications

First Edition

License NoteThis book is intended for the good of all,

so by all means – copy and share it freely.

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“Quiet Mind & Open Heart”

What is it which makes one happy?Above all we are social creatures,craving harmony with other souls

above all other pleasures in this life.In social harmony, our moods are raised, and the sense that life is fundamentally

goodsustains one’s positivity, which helps us

bond.Get that ball rolling, then,

so love will feel more natural and without effort,

granting our great primal tribal dream,which one may grow receptive for,

with a quiet mind and an open heart.

“Say Anything”

So long as you are honorable and loving,you may speak your mind

without a word of judgment out of me.I only speak for the sake of telling you

I understand or need more information.So say anything, I now invite –

I’d wish the same for me.How can we break through social

barriersif we can’t be a peace with caring souls?

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“Rightly Social”

Grace & Humility – A simple presence opens hearts.

Interest & Inspiration – Bliss exists in rapture.

Empathy & Compassion – All souls are endearing.

“To Know a Soul”

I sense that she is open,so I open up as well

and sense: the closer that we get,the further we get from our Hell.To see her suffering and virtue,and to see that she sees mine,

lets me feel I’m not aloneand feel the purpose of the time

I’m shown to tell.

“Body and Soul”

First I look upon her face,for genuine benevolence,

and if it’s present,I will care for her.

“The Warm Ideal”

Love is all her bearing says –a simple statement, self in essence –

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values borne so openly,I’m drawn in to reflect the warm ideal.

Is it wrong to fall in love so quickly?Virtue shines, and so

we love without restraint,when we are free to be ourselves,

beyond platonic politics.

“Inception”

Inception – she is shown to me,and we are matched in mind, perhaps.

Our bonding is the briefest court,and then we are released

to live our lives and let it fade…

“I’m Not Alone?”

It gives me hope to meet a passing kindred soul,

as if, like finding other Earths, from nothing,

life is likely teeming,all throughout whatever has or ever will

exist,and my friend is the evidence...I'm grateful to the force behindthe revelation of this synergy,

for my new faith in life's (divine?) design,

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as something ultimately beautiful,if given grace and time.Our paths, they pass…

“Fertile Spring”

Spring awakens basic hopeto meet the goals of lone existence.

Love discovers others’ heartsof ready harmony.

We talk enough to learn ofour potential partners’ better natures.

Satisfy the need to lovethe open souls you see.

“Foundations of the Heart”

Love is the emotion of highest regard,shined upon another,

inhibitions willing, warming heartsin its fulfilling energy –

an emotion lent to the endearing.From pain forcing self-endearment,to peace flowing in warm regard,

the heart moves to love and understanding.

Kindness is felt in the karmic warmth of one’s expressions of good will.

The embrace is an extension of regard, and a reassurance of acceptance.

“I accept you, faults and all,as I would wish you would for me,

because together we are more

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than otherwise we’d grow to be.”

“Tribes of the Open Heart”

Compatible as consciences, we band together,

joined in our defense of what is righteous,

in a search for higher harmony in which to

live our stories out together,each unique voice of accord

lost in its own great wilderness,so lucky to have found others’ open,

welcomehearts and minds of candid, loving soul.We listen and we speak of how we each

relateand so grow so much closer

to the dream of an idyllic rapport –of a synergy marking our tribe’s social

health,which supports all of our well-beings,

and yes,what more is there for such well-

grounded souls?

“Genuine”

How you look is how you feel.So if you want true love, be real.

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Drop your guard. Be soft, not hard.Your heart will be its own appeal.

Yes, how you feel is how you look.You’ll always be an open book.

Embrace your soul. Affirm your goal.Your love deserves a second look.

"Kindred Souls"

Long is life, and joyful arethe times of intimate rapportwith those I find are capable

of such ascended love.

These are the times which so enrichand make a lonely life worth living.

Social beings through and through, wedream of what our hearts were made for:

interpersonal fulfillment of relatingwith a kindred soul and feeling

less and less alone in that.

“Pleasure Shared”

Pleasure shared is pleasure squared,in bonds we form wit whom we’re

paired.And so we’re shown – we’re not alone,

and this is why we grow to care.

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“Purpose?”

We are all just here with the gift of life.In the ultimate social joy of

this miraculous occasion of chance,we see the true value of love and

harmony,for it is that which we enjoy,

within the goodness of our conscience-hearts,

which tends our most cohesive unity.“Can one and all not live without this?”

Yes, but if we can achieve such joy,why not embrace such a wise

worldview?

“It Feels Good to Do Good”

Working to make others happieris its own reward for those who act.

It strengthens our relationships.It feels right to our empathies.

It feels good to our consciences.It feels proud to our self-esteems.

It feels good just to do good,if you’re at all good inside.

“Affinity"

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The power of positivity and peaceenables empathy in earnest

to translate the times through any troubles,

bringing back the best ofreal relationships, redeemed and

realizedin harmony and happiness, heaven's

humorsall attainable for the affectionate andworld-warmingly wise, who work to

create conditions in consonance withcares, concerns and conscience,

learning living lessons longinto lastingly loving lives.

“Acceptance”

I accept all good and loving souls,the caring in an anger,

the vulnerability of fear,the grounded heart of crying...

Our open hearts of meld fixationpull us forth to understand:

The only thing a heart may need in lifeis love’s enduring faith,

the touch of one whose soul is love,and nothing in the world to mourn or

fear.

“The Soul of Harmony”

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Here is one, accepting ofthe moments as they pass,

engaging life in simple graceand in a righteous love.

Whatever one may do expressesfoundations of spirit’s essence,

unbeknownst to all, a blessed soulof destinies hard-fought and -won.A wise old soul who’s persevered

through all frustration-failure, knows –it’s not what you accomplish –

rather, who you are, inside,which, worth-wise, matters so.

In this old life, though,how you deal with life is all-important.

Maturity may come as onegrows past short-term reward,

instead so focused on social successand good souls’ happiness that

from one’s caring springsthe soul of harmony.

“Living Well”

Natural, accepting, of an easy, loving grace,

I give my every deep intention to the goodness of a voice or face.

My faith in human nature turns all “enemies” to friends,

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and thus I steadily move forward to the gratifying end of life well-lived.

“The Nature of Love”

Situations throw us alltogether randomly,

and friendships growas we grow to

respect each others’ souls.Our hearts may melt

for those who representour highest soul ideals,

in consonance with energyand history and goals.

And so we wishembrace to join us,

recognizing love’s reflection,reassuring that rejection’s

not our fate today.And this, our bond,

survives the parting,though we remain open-hearted,

ready for the next loveto support what joy it may.

“And so it is with love…”

Regard for those we know in lifedepends upon our frank impressions,

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not on whether we feel so for anybody else.

How many souls can one respect each day?

Is it sin to care for each?Should jealousy trump healthy love?

Such a suffering to cater to…Not to deny the pain of grief and envy,but should one artificially curb one’s

bondingjust to validate another’s selfish ache?

Fresh love’s for the greater good.The lonely long to blossom too.

“Love Alive”

Love has come alive again, in air of possibility…

My care for her has deepened in respect,as her maturity today has shown itself to

me.My thoughts seek not to limit her

potential,such a caring, forward-moving soul she

seems to be,but to look on in boundless faith

in her fulfilled life destiny,whether or not that unknown journeyintertwines with mine and so with me.

What is the price of selfless love?Mere mortal time and suffering,

rewarded with the prize of love’s return

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to a more perfect harmony.

“So Like The Sun”

So like the sun,you radiate essential warmth,

and I am in your light.I do not dream of other

sources of infinity’s significance,for you are all I know;

I’m ever lost and drivenwill for meaning’s joy,

and this you grant.I am accepting of the

blessings of the wisdom in your grace.Oh, so like the sun you are to me!

“Winter Warmth”

Bundled up and cozy-warm,beneath the sheets and in the armsof one who holds my heart in love,as winter claims the day to chillthe air but not our hearts of heat

and of reflected sentimentsof growing, giving care.

“A Mutual Falling”

Love’s higher union,

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of each heart fulfilledin incomparable beauty

of deep and quenching pleasure…The meaning of mutual depth-

recognition,of finding one with which to empathize,

is a treasure held dear to the heart.

“Love was the drug”

Love was the drug –in stunning virtue,

faces shone a comfortI had never seen.

My skipping, pounding heart,my shallow, tensing breath,

my throbbing, achingmuscle of forgiveness

knew the goodnessof her soul.

“Loveworthy”

Loving as your heart is seen,I fall in fantasy of fusion,

wishing just to hold your lovein mine, so you may see:

My love is true, perceiving you –your subtle confidence and care –

contagious energies of life,compelling me.

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“From Love to Prudent Strength”

I saw her beauty,and I saw that she saw mine,

and that was feltin the arousal of my love.

I knew, though – it was not to be,for my authority had ruled against it.

Acting on my love would hurtmy chance at life success.

So I enduredthe fruitless care

and grew more strongin fundamental character.

“Fantasy”

Fantasy, my food for thought – it quenches as it fans the flames

of passion and of hope, I see. It shows me who I am at heart, beneath any political veneer, adhered for mere survival to, a better soul than otherwise I’d grow to be, were I to lose

integrity to fully fuel conformity. I stay the course and keep my heart.

“Skin”

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The skin beneath my clothes,of vulnerability of soul,

by reason bared in openness,so seems an invitation for

a heart’s accepting, validatingcare for all the virtue

carried through this life.

“A Heart’s Embrace”

She’s virtuously passionate.A true love is aroused in me.

A suffering’s unquenchable desirefuels mirrored empathy.As close as we can get

is not as close ashearts may wish to be.

The desperate embrace of lovemay never be enough.

“The Coupling”

Every shared experience and goalinvites receptive hearts to fall in loveand consummate the growing bond

with sensual, supportive union,aching for the limit of the meld.

“Old Flame”

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Our love may come and go, like fire.Yet old flames, if in moderation,satisfy a need for all the higherpleasures one may find in life.

We love each other, warts and all,endeared to characters of care,and if the passion never lasts,

if what we had was real,we’ll keep the bond and

with it, ready harmonies…Our love, like any memory,once learned, is ever there,

in dormant care, to feel again.

“Significance Itself”

In the ephemera, our blossoms bloom and die,

lost to inexora, the endless growth ofentropy and order.

Were they manifested carelessly,without the deepest why

of purpose, meaning, or design?Perhaps, except for we of

consciousness and conscience-drive,who work to make life better,in the now and in the future,

for ourselves and those we care about,embodying significance itself.

“Long-Term Love”

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Long-term love,a deepening of empathy,a broader soul respect…

We make each other happy,comfortable enough to jest,

and make the leap to open up,as we have grown to see

is for the best.

We know each other very well,though growing, gradually,and keeping fresh in zest

our points of view.Together we have stayed,to share the new that wemust pass into the past,

but not alone, for we havegrown to know each other

deeply, truly, through and throughalong the way.

“Old Glove”

We don’t make love – it skews the mind.A casual rapport is fine enough for

happy life.Yet still it happens that we fall again

and hold each other closer thanwe have in quite some time.

It’s not so bad, I guess,for our rapport’s stability,

now that we’ve grown so usedto our adventure-partner’s ways.

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“To Humanize for Harmony”

I accept, for harmony,the faults and limitations ofthe souls who people this

imperfect world along with me,for am I not imperfect too?

Have I no sin within my soul?Do I not err in how I think?

Are we not similar in universal ways?I let the grudges which I bear

come to the surface and beunderstood in humanistic ways.

“Ways”

Harmony, respecting of each unique way to be,

makes wise the world in justthe ways which matter socially –

for self and other in this interwoven world

of such potential for ascended consciousness –

not so prescriptive; rather,wishing just to bless, respectfully.

Is there a better way to be, for self and all

one may affect in this long life?

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“No Attack and No Defense”

Without the need to dig your heels in,valid questions change your point of

view.When we respect each other truly,

we become more open to the thoughtthat others’ thoughts are valid too.

"Breaking Through"

Who's right? Who's wrong?Will every side ever agree?

Whose version of eventstruly represents reality?

Whose arguments don't haveanother half that's contradictoryto the fraction that that faction

holds of the whole story?

Things seeming true to me don't make sense to you.

Can reality exceed a point of view?Can one see past one's past?

Can I break through what I've been through?

Do our eyes see different hues?What is life like in different shoes?

If I choose to admit that I don't know,what do I lose?

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When the walls are down,when we've made it through,and when we speak with love,

in no desire to control or to defendall that we spend our lives clinging to,

we see: we don't need it, when we break through.

“Calibration”

Unchain your spirit.Uncouth your mind.Unleash your heart,

and you may grow to findthat there are so many ways to be,

so many souls to see,so many hearts to know.

"One Heart"

You've got one heart to give,and we've got one shot to wake the

living.This world's going to find out in time -

you can't deny it if your heart ain't frozen,

trapped by what it "knows",and you're ready to heal divides,

willing to search your heart and soulfor the love I now define:

I respect your soul.

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I've got one goal:My only wish is to dissolve those demons

eating you and screamingto protect your heart and mind.

If you are Love then you are fine...

“To Love and Be Loved”

To love and be loved,for all that you are,

makes a life worth living.If you’re crying, then you’re

a warm and lonely heart.May you find your dream out there.

“Beyond the Mirage”

Welling up from deep inside,the hope I now confide

in you is a mirage I made in my addiction to

idyllic dreams – and how they seem to be the answer

when I am lost and searchingfor what I’ll only find within me.

I used to think that love was whenyou just can’t do without.

Then one down day it struck mewhat true love is all about.

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The more I grasp and cling to what I think I want,

the less I see that we don’t need a thing at all

for this moment to be complete.That’s why I’m giving up

the heartsick crush of petulant desire,so I can give of a love that’s real,

from a heart that starts to feeljust fine and so is capable of care.

“Beyond Desire”

Letting my desires fade,I disengage from suffering

and find the ready pleasure ofan easy inner peace.

“The Seed”

Real people, real pleasure, real pain…I want the suffering to stop.I want the best life to begin.

I want to share the sublimationwith a beautiful best friend.

I don’t believe that we are broken –just without that which we need –a story’s virtue, understanding,

and true vision as the seedof higher happiness

to share.

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"Moral Clarity"

An altruist, truly high inhonor's self-sacrifices, done in love,

I see the beauty of your virtuous intent,giving, a grove, in metaphor, of ultimate

benevolencewhen fate's fruition becomes manifest,

andgreat heart takes the body and mind.

“Endurance of Assurance”

Maximum suffering survived…Caring conscience pure…My messianic mission is to

to-create the culture’s cures.…and so I write of insight

to be the light for those who fightthe righteous fight long through the

nightto build a harmony which might

endure…

“Manifesting Care”

Those of us with hearts of caringknow the ache of empathy to pain.

The burden of an angel

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is to carry cares along the way;and yet the radiance of loveis not a burden but a boon,

and faith in Heaven grants a peacethat makes a home of any room.

Is it not evident that lovehas grown to be our social glue?The more we warmly empathize,

the more we grow to knowthat this claim’s fundamental can be

true.

“Each Soul Worthy”

From a foundation of faith in each soul's nature

flows the warmth of inner fires of growing love.

Warming hearts and building harmony –the deepest goals of this one life,

with lofty hopes of catalyzingsubstantive. cultural. paradigm. shifts,toward the all-essential light of selfless

love.

“Angels of the Sun”

Love, it knows no limits of reserve,in its abundant, giving grace.

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To care for goodness deeply,glows in altruism, self-effaced.

To know concern and let itburn through your identity…To manifest your highest and

your best-intentioned empathygives life its conscience, purposemeaning, and conceived divinity.

We welcome you with faithin how your soul was, is,

and ever grows to be.

Your Servant,Leaf John Omni,Angel of the Sun

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About the Author

John Joseph Rohrer is the author of several books and the composer of several albums of original music. While he has been institutionalized for more than four years, he has not let this circumstance define him, but has risen above it, to express his under-represented or unprecedented insights, through such art as this book represents.

Photograph © 2012 John Joseph Rohrer

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