Advice for a Bear

 Today you take your first steps, into the world my dove,
Let me share with you, my thoughts, and meager grasp of love.
All throughout the ages, sonnets have fed us pretty lies
Lazily they have sung a tale of happy butterflies
Of painted sunsets rose, and brilliant mornings gold
That, the greatest art of love, is beauty to behold.

Love is contradiction dear, understanding, maddening at best
It can be both hot and cool, starkly serious in its jest
In truth, even though love can at times be stormy and wild
It should, at the heart, be sweet and tender, my child
The world will not tell you that which man in arrogance forgot
Love she can be many things, but know what she is not

I share what was given me, so long ago, laid in trust
The heat of love should never be obsession or lust
Each of them, a prison for the body and the mind
Passion will always let you grow, it should never bind
And though passions may be curious, wondrous and strange
Never take what you adore, and force upon it change.


The great books say love is patient, gentle, and kind
Accepting as you are, so you can leave the hurt behind
Love is in giving more than you ever hope to get
And yet it’s there in giving that your needs are met.
You I know, even more than angels are a kind and gentle soul
I pray that is how you are, after the world has had its toll.

You have always been my joy dear, even when I can’t relate
Your laughter is for me a respite from this world of hate
For even though this cold world hard and bitter be
You have placed your smile defiantly, for all the world to see
I can only hope that in your heart, you know that this is true
The truest love I have ever known, is the one I have for you