I Dare You to Love Me Not

Jaihoon’s poem explores the philosophical torment of doubt in love, grappling with the fear of loss versus a life devoid of love.

The tale of Love:
The fall of laugh,
A state so restless;
A life so lifeless.

Love is a frail mirror,
Faintly kept,
Amid the twin rocks
Of meet and part.

Love is that fine thread
Lovers subtly tread.

Last night my heart whispered,

“A life without her –
Wondered have you ever?

To share your joy upon joy
For a sincere bosom will you cry?”

Just then my mind intervened,
A new argument had it weaved.

“Life without her,
If you cannot imagine,
Death’s parting will
Blaze you with kerosene.

Meeting the beloved may
Bewitch you to be a rose,
Parting, the thorn
Will prick you twice.

Life without her:
The rain of Tears,
Death’s parting:
Drown in tear-rivers.

As I continued
To battle my nightmare,
Appeared she in my sleep
With beauty bare.

She asked me
A ruthless question –
The sin of doubt
Did she chasten?

“I care not if
You are terrified –
Life and Death sans me
You are horrified.

My love! Have you
Given a thought –
Live or die –
I dare you to love me not?”

April 24 2016. Edit March 2024