Hearts

I decided in this work to write about something I know nothing about, Love. As old as I am I still haven't quite figured out this damn emotion at all. And probably never will.

Hearts

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."Dr. Seuss

In the game of hearts 

You win or you lose.

Love often requires 

An option to choose.

These laws of attraction 

are based on true fact

What isn't so simple

It's understanding we lack

Complications reside 

On amounts that we share.

Too little of love

Shows a lacking of care.

Too much in adoration

Reveals obsessive desire

An emotion of greed

One should never aspire.

To only give as much

As received in return 

Is a nexus of joy

In contentment to learn.

But the ways of the heart 

Are not as simple as that.

For life often complicates

At a drop of a hat.

The best we can hope for

Is quite easy to achieve 

To love like no tomorrow 

And in together both believe.

...in love, which is all that 

really matters.

Author's Note

Ah, back to the old poet tropes and adage. Please take this as warning. This by no means should ever be considered advice, nothing can replace actual living and heartbreak. So go out there youngsters and get broke, or break, which ever you choose just don't blame me for the consequences. That's all on you, buddy. Feel free to comment, troll, or leave profound pearls of wisdom. But be warned I heard em all, so you won't impress me, much like this poem haha.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This poem has good advice...love like there is no tomorrow because there might not be.
I don't regret any relationship I have been in....all those loves taught me something.

Of course, I am still trying to figure out if I really learned anything at all.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

haha You and I both are of similar mind, Jacob. I feel exactly the same way you do. I too have no regrets and have learned so much from my past loves. They made my art better, and me as well. And even now in my middle age I'm still learning to love. Thank you my friend for your thoughts on this subject that still holds mystery to me.

[EmeraldHeart]

Love, Love every verse. Another great poem. Really love your work.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you you're so kind. I'll be honest I'm not a very good poet. I actually prefer writing short stories more and always have. Poetry has always been a difficult art form for me to improve upon. I have always found it constructive and limiting in my abilities as a writer. Because I'm the kind of writer that is overly effusive in descriptive terms when creating stories. I overly describe things to paint a more visceral experience in my tales. Poetry forces me some what to constrain that aspect of my style and have a more concise direct message. Being here in this community is actually helpful in improving a style of writing I have never really had any interest in before. It's also given me a greater appreciation for this art form as well. So thank you so much for the kind words because I'm really still learning and growing as a poet and this encouragement helps me improve.

[Pauline]

Maybe you're not meant to understand it Carlos, but to grasp it and enjoy the ride. I suppose if it teaches us anything, it's to forgive and carry on. (And learn to keep your mouth shut.)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Pauline for your kind comment on this poem. This message is quite a hopeful and simple one. To love and have no regrets, but to also do so wisely. Don't give more then what you get in return. Because when you do it will hurt bad if it isn't returned as the same that it is given. If this poem in any way implies to keep silent I would say to never follow that advice. Never be quiet and always speak your mind and heart when it comes to dealing with issues of love. Because remaining silent will only enable abuse which is absolutely wrong and unacceptable under any circumstance. Love should be an empowering experience that helps you grow inside and become a better human being. Anything less than that is not love. Thank you so much Pauline for your thoughts on this poem I truly appreciate it.

[Diamond Dunbar]

I absolutely love this! It’s a thin line between love and hate, and we tread it everyday with our loved ones, strangers and enemies. Often we feed and hold on to the toxicity of love as love and run from what it might actually be. You get wrong until you finally get it right because as you stated so beautifully when you try too hard or not at all you will fail, but when you allow yourself the freedom to feel it and be it, you’ll see the rewards!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts on this piece. Love is one of humanity's greatest virtues but can also become a vice when applied withbad intentions. The only thing we can individually control in the matters of the heart is how much we are willing to give. We can not control how one chooses to love us in return. That decision is totally up to them. So give no more then given because when disappointment comes the pain will not be as soul crushing. Thank you again for your comment.

[Simba]

I really enjoyed this poem, I felt like it explored the true depths of love and it's complexities, love is not always an easy path, desire lust can complicate matters but the heart wants what it wants.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Simba. I totally agree with your assessment on love. It truly is a complicated emotion that is both simplistic as well as incredibly complex. It could lead to greater heights or deeper falls.

[Fran Marie]

Matters of the heart can become quite
Complicated for sure with so many emotions
at play..I like the way you wrote this one
Carlos and yeah to love like there's no tomorrow
good advice there...

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Fran, I appreciate the comment. This was a fun little write. It had almost a Dr. Seuss playfulness to it. With a simple but strong message. Thank you again.

[Jasmin]

Too much love will kill you. Nice piece!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Jasmin for your thoughts on this poem. I don't know if I would want to die from too much love or die from no love at all. Now that definitely is a tough question and would make for a nice poem to be honest. Love is tough but sometimes we make it harder then it has to be. If you can find someone to love you the exact same way you love them then you have a chance at a good relationship. It's not easy but it's possible if you believe. But I'm the worst person to give love advice to be honest. Thank you for speaking your mind I admire that in a person.

[Jasmin]

Love, like life is always a work in progress.

[Lourdes Pessetto]

Mr. Estrada, it is such a beautiful poem. Life is beautiful with love and people are easy to live with when they lead their lives from the heart- and of course, with rationality. Thank you for sharing beautiful feelings. Blessings!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much Lourdes for taking the time to read this little poem. I truly appreciate it. I enjoyed reading your story so much as well and it was written from a heart of true kindness so thank you for your art as well.

[tranquilspace]

I'M LITERALLY IN TEARS BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID THIS PIECE HIT ME, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. LOVE IS THE ONLY FEELING THAT'S NEVER EASY TO DETERMINE AND YOU WERE ABLE TO PORTRAY THAT IN WORDS, FALING IN LOVE GETS HEARTS BROKEN BUT IT'S TRULY A RISK TO TAKE SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you somuch for your kind words I truly appreciate them. You are so correct that love is worth the risk to take. For to love is to be a better human being. We grow only in spirit the more we love. The great poet and humanist Kahlil Gibran said "Love is the only freedom in the world because it so elevates the spirit that the laws of humanity and the phenomena of nature do not alter its course." We should strive to love in his words. Thank you again for your kindness.

[tranquilspace]

GOOD POETRY CAN MELT THE HARDEST OF HEARTS, IT WAS TRULY LOVELY. YOU'RE WELCOME

[Chris Shaw]

Love is all that matters. We learn a great deal from it and none of it is wasted. When it doesn't work out, we can take the lessons with us.

"But the ways of the heart
aren't as simple as that"

How true the above couplet is Carlos. Thank you for the gift of your poetry. I very much enjoyed these words. Much to contemplate here.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris. Poet's indeed are romantics at heart. As writers we view the world differently then most. We are intuitive and aware of our surroundings to the point they are assigned descriptive words rather then simple noun. But love and its ideas conjure within us particular aspirations because it represents the better part of our humanity. Our divine self and greater presence. Thogh I will be the first to admit I have yet to still unlock its great mystery but that is why we live. To discover love. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Carlos. I guess I am blessed, have loved and receive love in return. Nothing better:)

[John the Baptist]

As a devotee of the rhyming couplet, I appreciated this well rhymed exhibition of it. I also liked the way the poem brought in a qualifier after the initial advice: "But the ways of the heart/Are not as simple as that". Nothing is as complicated as the ways of the human heart. Every generation is going to do the same basic things as its predecessors: Find the love of your life at fifteen, believe politicians without question and spend the milk money on the lottery. Don't get me started on fast cars.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you John for your thoughts on this poem. Love indeed is a difficult subject and at times we make it even more difficult. But humanity in general are not simplistic creatures. We are diverse in thought , gender, culture, politics, and a myriad of other factors. We aspire to a better love but are fallible as well as our choice in mate to match our actions and emotions in equity. I will be the first to admit I am horrible in my choices and would much rather choose fast cars in a heartbeat haha. Thank you my friend for these insightful words of yours.