J’aime

If ever you’ve felt emptiness

Because a lover’s lost,

Been made to feel your sep’rateness

And realized the cost;

If you have had to feel the pains

Of living on your own,

Of knowing that with all your friends

You still remain alone;

Of caring when it’s only you

Who’s doing all the giving,

Or seeing Earth a human zoo

And losing zeal for living;

I hope that I can help you

To let the thought unwind

That true love needs no object:

It’s more a state of mind.

                              © 1982 James M. Maloney