Love's Slave

To love and fail,

that first time,

is something genuine.

But the next time,

and the times thereafter,

how to take yourself seriously?

After all, you've been here before,

sincerely felt incurable

and yet, all collapsing,

survived to go again.

The heart, a virgin no more,

soon becomes an old hand,

well practiced in the romantic routine,

still appropriately passionate,

eager to get carried away,

but quick to recover.

We are love's honest slaves,

ever hopelessly in love

with being in love.

And who would blame us?