The first time I met Love
My heart was broken 
and I asked
“How could you have betrayed me?”
And Love replied 
“It was your expectations. 
I am incapable of betrayal.”

The second time I met Love
My spirit felt crushed 
and I asked 
“How could you have hurt me?”
And Love replied
“It was your reaction to the situation. 
I am incapable of causing pain.” 

The third time I met Love
My energy was drained 
and I asked 
“How could you have depleted me?” 
And Love replied 
“It was your lack of self-love and failure to set appropriate boundaries.
I am incapable of depleting you.”

The fourth time I met Love
My entire being felt alone
and I asked 
“How could you have abandoned me?”
And Love replied 
“I am always with you and can never leave you 
As I dwell within you.”

The fifth time I met Love
My soul felt vulnerable, naked and exposed 
and I asked 
“How could you have embarrassed me?" 
And Love replied 
“It was your ego that caused you to feel embarrassed. 
I am incapable of experiencing or causing shame.” 

The sixth time I met Love 
Anger rippled through me 
and I asked
“How could you have taken from me?”
And Love replied
“I cannot take from you. 
I give while asking for nothing in return 
As I am unconditional.”

The seventh time I met Love 
A deep sense of sadness pervaded me 
and I asked 
“How could you have fooled me and then used me?”
And Love replied rather gently and compassionately  
“Do not mistake someone’s inability to love you
For the truth of who I am.”  

And the eighth and final time I met Love
I greeted it as an old friend 
Free from expectations, heartbreak, pain, shame and conditions
And Love embraced me and said
“Now you truly know me.”

Tahlia Hunter