“I loved you like a man loves a woman he never touches,
only writes to, keeps little photographs of.”
— Charles Bukowski
only writes to, keeps little photographs of.”
— Charles Bukowski
Boats and Birds by Gregory and the Hawk was my favourite song when I was 17. I thought its lyrics told a story that was the epitome of romance; loving somebody so much that you cherish their happiness more than you care about your love being reciprocated. As Juan Antonio says in Vicky Christina Barcelona, "Maria Elena used to say that only unfulfilled love can be romantic".
If you be my star
I'll be your sky
you can hide underneath me
and come out at night
when I turn jet black
and you show off your light
I live to let you shine
but you can skyrocket away from me
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here
with more room to fly
just leave me your stardust to remember you by
It has since come to me that the love described in the song is not a young person's love. Adolescent love is too selfish, too fickle. As teenagers (and adults, to be fair), we fall in love with people for what they have to offer us. We are capable of deep love – infatuation – but we expect something in return; flattery, appreciation, security, to be looked after and adored.
The selfless devotion in the song describes the love of an adult. A mother's love of her son. A father's love of his daughter. A grandparent's love of their grandchildren. A brother's love of his sister. A love between lifelong friends and lovers. A love that changes as it grows and matures but cannot be undone, bestowed unconditionally, quietly, anonymously; so inconspicuous that is easily taken for granted.
A love like that is heartbreaking in its selflessness, but too precious to set free.
When I was 17, I would long for the day that I was beautiful, desirable, special enough for somebody to love me in that way. Now, as I realise that it is exactly that love which anchors me to be the person I am today, I hope that, one day, I can use the strength that love has given me to bestow it upon somebody else.
When I was 17, I would long for the day that I was beautiful, desirable, special enough for somebody to love me in that way. Now, as I realise that it is exactly that love which anchors me to be the person I am today, I hope that, one day, I can use the strength that love has given me to bestow it upon somebody else.
It's what makes the world go 'round.
Even
After
All this time
The Sun never says
To the Earth,
"You owe me."
Look
What happens
With a love like that.
It lights the
Whole
Sky.
– Hafiz
2 comments:
That song is so lovely and so is this xxx
Thank you K :) xx
Post a Comment