Friendship, Lust, and Love
           by Bonney Jo Bott 03/12/2007

Friendship, Lust, and Love,
how do they compare?
They are all feelings
of different intensities
and strengths of meaning.

~.~

Friendship levels range
from acquaintance to admirer
to ally to champion to supporter—
an associate who provides assistance—
a person you know well and
regard with affection and trust.
It's a state of commitment,
concern, and support.

I've felt these things for you
for many years.

~.~

Lust is a hunger, a craving
for a vigorously passionate relationship.  
It's a preoccupation driven by desire,
a lascivious thirst.

I feel all these things for you,
physically, emotionally, and mentally.

~.~

Love is so many things—
admiration, fondness, captivation,
affection, and endearment—
a strong positive pleasure.

It may start with liking, a caress,  
progressing to attraction, infatuation,
tender fondness, and sound promise
Exhibited by great affection
and warm enamored devotion
with an emotion of regard
for a significant person in your life.

Love is the action of an amorous lover,
one who loves or is loved—
a beloved person who has deep feelings
of desire and sexual fulfillment,
passionate, romantic lovemaking.

Dearest, my heart bursts with love for you.