How Does Love Speak?

Love is the Unseen Voice of the Heart

Cupid

Love's Language
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

How does Love speak?
In the faint flush upon the telltale cheek,
And in the pallor that succeeds it; by
The quivering lid of an averted eye—
The smile that proves the patent to a sigh
Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?
By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak
Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache,
While new emotions, like strange barges, make
Along vein-channels their disturbing course;
Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force—
Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?
In the avoidance of that which we seek—
The sudden silence and reserve when near—
The eye that glistens with an unshed tear—
The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,
As the alarmed heart leaps in the breast,
And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest—
Thus doth Love speak.
How does Love speak?

In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek—
The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender
And unnamed light that floods the world with splendor;
In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace
In all fair things to one beloved face;
In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;
In looks and lips that can no more dissemble—
Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?
In the wild words that uttered seem so weak
They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire
Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher,
Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm;
In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,
Impassioned tide that sweeps through throbbing veins,
Between the shores of keen delight and pains;
In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,
And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss—
Thus doth Love speak.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem "Love's Language" shows how love expresses itself. It examines love's many feelings, showing how it powerfully affects our lives. In this poem, love is not a single event. It is full of opposites. It is quiet yet loud, happy yet scared, timid yet brave.

The poem indicates that love communicates beyond just words. It appears in a rosy cheek, shaky hands, or a racing heart. These small, natural reactions remind us that love often skips overthinking. It exists in our instincts and physical feelings. It shows itself unexpectedly. Wilcox believes love is as natural as the sunrise and changes our lives.

Love is personal and unique to everyone. It fills our lives with depth and meaning. It is a feeling that I find difficult to explain.

Wilcox also reveals that love isn't easy. It brings with it vulnerability to rejection and pain. In my experience as a psychotherapist it is why some people avoid romantic love. Their problem is that avoidance leaves them lonely and depressed.

I can state unequivocally that 50 years of marriage is the best proof of the power of love. I still grieve her death. And that is part of the pain that comes with love.