Universal Want

Some say they simply cannot tell

The words to spell their wants

From voids within they claw the air

While desperate yearning taunts

And while they scan the mindless sea

Or search the stars above

The hunger in their bosom weeps

For this; we all want love

A hand to hold at eventide

Whilst sunset splendor bleeds

A soul-mate in which to confide

Our tender ‘wants, and needs

There is no man too rich or poor

Or unworthy enough

To be fulfilled without its pow’r

…oh, we all need love

The new-born babe, the little child

The adolescent; youth

Young woman, man, we all desire

The essence of this truth

In middle age or silver-crowned

To ‘be’ is not enough

We are not soulless reeds windblown

Therefore, we all need love

Oh love, essential mystery

Its well-spring not of men

Intangible, this entity

A spurring to the end

Of gold and blood-stained filament

Creator-breathed to us

An innate ‘want’ with which we’re born

Oh, we all need love

© Janet Martin