We don't fall in love: it rises through us

We don’t fall in love: it rises through us

the way that certain music does –

whether a symphony or ballad –

and it is sepia-coloured,

like spilt tea that inches up

the tiny tube-like gaps inside

a cube of sugar lying by a cup.

Yes, love’s like that: just when we least 

needed or expected it

a part of us dips into it

by chance or mishap and it seeps

through our capillaries, it clings

inside the chambers of the heart.

We’re victims, we say: mere vessels,

drinking the vanilla scent

of this one’s skin, the lustre

of another’s eyes so skilfully

darkened with bistre. And whatever

damage might result we’re not

to blame for it: love is an autocrat

and won’t be disobeyed. 

Sometimes we manage

to convince ourselves of that.

Julia Copus

This poem by Julia Copus is actually titled ' In Defence of Adultery' - something I don't want to defend really, but the way she describes falling in love, this inexplicable force that draws you to someone can is in my opinion not only reserved to adulterous falling in love, so, I chose this poem for Valentines day. I hope you enjoy it and that you can experience this kind of  overtaking falling in love.

2003, Julia Copus
From: In Defence of Adultery
Publisher: Bloodaxe, Newcastle, 2003
From Poetry International website