what about love?

i am willin to give of this love that's within
but is there anyone aware of it's value?
it seems like the whole world gave up and gave in
do any still believe in real love and it's truth?
one friend has said that she's just given up
on domesticity and the idea of endless love
some i see are hinderin themselves, makin it tough
cuz they started playin others, once they'd hurt enough
lately i've not spoken to a single, solo male
who's expressed a desire for a true love tale
except for my son, who found out oh so young
that even in puppy love you're easily stung
i watch my grandparents, elders so dear
still holdin hands in their golden, olden years
their story, their love, has always given me hope
that true love still exists as more than a joke
the frightening thing is...since i'm studyin facts
there's is the ONLY relationship i've ever seen last
yeah, there are lots still "together", but in unhappy homes
some who know, some who don't, it'd be best for one to go
livin with tainted love...for finances...or to save face
is really just livin in misery...two hearts layin in waste
but what about that old generation, so different than today's
how were they so blessed, when today there seems no way
and look what's happened to our precious babies
believin a "family" is an urban legend, told by old ladies
they're growin up without a daddy in daily life
or they don't know mommy, tho daddy has a wife
some know neither one...bein raised by the eldest
god bless their broken hearts, cuz they sure don't deserve it
babies learnin to talk, caught in such confusion
every woman is "mamaw"...mommy is just an illusion
they've never witnessed a mom and dad's strong, bonded love
they have no examples...other than god's above
so what love is in their future...what will they seek
if all they expect are broken homes...our world's become weak
i've always had bonds of friendship with boys, now men
and they'd speak of love, forever bound to one they'd intend
i never hear them speak of that faith in love anymore
only of how it didn't work, and that they won't try anymore
relationships are bein called the most dangerous "game"
bold admissions of never holding true to only one name
some of those male friends i've even lost along the way
they stopped valuing our friendship...seein me the same
as they now saw all women...one reason in the truth
a sexual encounter, or our friendship would be through
meetin new friends? especially guys? nope, had to stop it
it seems every single one of them has totally lost it
no respect for a woman, to truly have, and be, a friend
fakin an interest in who you are, to try for sex in the end
not that sex ain't great...i love to make love too
with someone i know respects me, is faithful and true
men today will talk and try to sound so sincere
knowin what a woman wantin love wants to hear
some of them are so good, bringin on the tears
pretendin they're full of emotions and fears
goin so far as to say that their heart would bust without you
either natural born liars...or they've been to actin school
you trade info with another chic, he told her what he told you
and you almost have to laugh about how you were almost fooled
when you instinctly doubt his true intentions
you'll learn to have a mind to pay that more attention
thinkin if his words have been true, it just might be nice
but then you become aware of somethin that makes you think twice
finaly your heart will sigh relief, for missin a disaster
and you just can't understand what motivates such a bastard
i remember when i thought i solved my "love dilemma"
i got a lil wise, no longer a jaded, young beginner
i recognized a pattern in the "type" that attracted me
guys who all lived up to that "bad boy" theme
then there were the ones who weren't my "type"
more reserved, the quiet type, maybe somethin to offer me
but i was attracted to the loud, troubled, "damaged" ones
ones that i could comfort and love, ones just like me
the ones with strong, stable, and steady hearts
i believed were too "weak" to give me a good start
i pursued my rejectors...and fled from the ones who tried
and when someone rejects you from the git...they only gave in
it began on a lie
they never had any intent to stick around, stay beside you
they simply took the chance you gave them to use you
in all of my experiences, every single one
he gained more in hurtin me than i did in lovin him
either finances...sex...convenience...or a step up
they got out with somethin, while my heart bled into my
empty cup
hell, things are now lookin even worse than this
the "good" ones who pursued me, no longer exist
i guess they've all been taken, by women with some sense
cuz i can't find them anymore, they're lookin me up less
every single man seeks and expects sex from a woman
but sex is earned by trust and respect...it's not a given
and how can they say they "love" me in less than a year
that's a big red flag that'll kick in my fears
cuz you're either mistaken me for a toy and playin my emotions
or you already want control and to make me your possession
been there...done that...took that road before and learned
all the lessons involved in using such strong words.
before you truly know me...inside out, up and down
you have to spend time liking me before you throw "love" out
im not a child mistaking the excitement of new attraction
as a deep felt, tough won, vulnerable grown up emotion.