"Love is such an unreasonable yearner -
full-hearted but empty-handed:
it can give a treasure out of nothing,
but can never ask to be gifted one."

 
We are all, at various times, givers or takers. Giving is easy when we care, though not when we don't. But when conjoined with commitment, we can continue giving, through our anger, disillusionment or grief.
 
But asking, in the best of times, can be an effort.
 
In that brief interlude between desire and expectation, we have to put ourselves out, turn humbly, and ask for what we want. But ever so often, we can't.
 
Is it ego? Is it expectation that we should be given, without being asked? Is it fear of being refused? Whatever the reason, that hesitation, that decision to keep quiet, to withdraw, to not ask, is the point from where distances start getting to be mapped. And the shifting of feelings is akin to the continental shift of geological plates. Slow but irrevocable.
 
And in love, particularly, what commences to be suppressed, is the natural flow of lava, whose advent, if curbed, ends up burning the lover up.
 
Yearning is an all-consuming fire, no less.
 


If you liked this poem, consider listening to these other poems which talk of yearning - 
The Girl Who Could Lose Everything For Hope
That Gorgeous Evening when You Left
Departures

Find other magical things, like a lovely free chapbook of poems, and other resources here.
 
Uncut Poetry has started a new Podcast called Red River Sessions (on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, etc), where we will talk to published poets, about their poetry, their craft and what haunts them. It is brought to you by Red River, which is the premier independent publisher of poetry books, and Uncut Poetry. 
 
I am Sunil Bhandari.


 


I am a poet based out of India. My book of poetry 'Of Love and Other Abandonments' was an Amazon bestseller. My second book is 'Of Journeys & Other Ways to Get Lost'. Both are available on Amazon.
Follow me on Instagram at @sunilgivesup.

Get in touch with me on [email protected]
 
The details of the music used in this episode are as follows -
 
Du und ich (instrumental) by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/2966-du-und-ich-instrumental-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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