When first we say, I love, we but repeat
a prompt whose value is in forming us
as gentler souls that hear the savage beat
of competition that is always thus.

But time will come when we will speak of love
with meaning re-invented on our own
each time experiences rise above
or fall below our expectations known.

At last the confident will learn to be
content to mean encouraging the one
who from defining words must be set free
and left in thankfulness for life as run.

While love outpours its many splendid things,
the greedy pouts, with less the grateful sings.

- Robert Stone, 6 September 2014