I am nothing more than a fool
love is that all consuming yearning
which I neither understand
nor know how to recognize
I search and search and search for it
looking for it above all other things
Yet all I find is sex, control, addiction and pain
the kind of love that I seek
if I were honest with myself
is that which I should find within
acceptance, esteem, compassion and kindness
if I could give myself these things
I'd have a chance
   a chance
of real, intimate, life affirming love
and, perhaps, the wisdom to recognize it