Among Other Demons

Sometimes I wonder if love
might not be, after all,
the biggest lie we've ever told ourselves.

Sometimes I wonder if love
might not be, after all,
the greatest trap we've ever walked into.

What other experience
has us kill another person? What other experience
allows us to kill ourselves?
What other experience drives us
to madness or despair; to paranoia
and fury; jealousy, suspicion, vulnerability,
violence, obsession, or lethality --
all at the same time?

What other experience
can mask our moments of fear,
or rage or pain, with a smile?

What other experience
can soothe every hurt, real
or imagined, with a kiss and a caress?

We allow love to change our minds,
reunite our souls,
and hold our hearts in a vise grip.
Everything we do
is in the name of love.

How can it not be a trap?