To love,
the risk is vulnerability.
To not is loneliness.
Loneliness,
quite different
from being alone.
Written for Tuesday Poetics at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. Today we are asked to include the word “risk” in a poem. This is one of my most favorite images by Klimt.
lillian the home poet 
Ahhhh, that is so true!
“To love,
the risk is vulnerability.
To not is loneliness.”
You never know what you find, that’s my motto. Some risks are worth it in the end, but we have to see it through. With that fear of being alone, it might push someone to take a risk that might be worth it after all. Beautifully and brilliantly written. ❤
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Definitely worth the risk.
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A wonderful poem. You are right, lonely and alone are two different things.
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I love that painting as well! I enjoy my alone time as much, sometimes more, than I enjoy being surrounded by people. Love this poem, Lillian!
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Ah yes, Lillian. So lovely, and you featured one of my favorite Gustav Klimt paintings ☺️💕
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You really captured a fundamental truth here, Lillian.
Yours,
David
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I love this image. Alone is something I crave and enjoy. Lonely, well, that is the gateway to depression. Enjoyed your piece.
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Both statements you’ve made are true.
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Short and sweet – it hit the bulls eye! Describes me perfectly!
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Oh, I agree Lillian: loneliness is very different from being alone! People are afraid to be lonely so they stay in unhealthy relationships. To love is always a risk: if we fail to love ourselves, we will always be lonely!
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The difference between loneliness and being alone is a distinction may people miss, nicely captured.
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Aww, love! Worth the risk for sure. Thanks for this.
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Lillian,
So simply expressed, so true.
pax,
Dora
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Twice I’ve been a bachelor for seven year stretches. I had no difficulty being alone without being lonely; two separate animals for sure.
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Love is taking a risk. but to not is a guaranteed road to loneliness.
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As you note, there is a great difference between being lonely or being alone. Well penned!
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Yes, as an army wife (and my hubby is currently away for a few weeks) I’ve learned you can love and be lonely when spouses are gone or you can embrace being alone for a bit and learn how to love yourself better. Also love others who are lonely. A great piece! 💯
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Lillian you are master at beautifully saying so much with so little and that talent shines tremendously here. Using the “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt just adds to it. This was beautifully done.
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i agree with you Lillian. This is said in a few but carefully chosen lines. Enjoy the rest of the week!
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I absolutely love this! Now that is a risk I wouldn’t mind taking time and again 😀
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Yes!
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lovely brief poem and amazing image … that last stanza says so much!
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