love is a burning thing

i have never particularly been a fan of photos like this one.

photos showing young boys & girls acting in love.

i don't like them.

i've never known why,

until,

i had a sort of deep epiphany when i saw this picture:

i don't know what it was about this picture, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

i know, i know.
there's nothing bad about this picture;

it's supposed to be adorable.

my reaction is really just a personal issue.

i think this issue begins somewhere along the lines of,

i treasure childhood innocence.

in almost a holden caulfield sort of way,

i repel anything that spoils the innocence of childhood memories.

these pictures aren't necessarily spoiling any childhood innocence,

except,

the concept of a child loving the way an adult loves.

adults' love is not innocent.

adults' love is heartbreaking,

challenging,

tumultuous,

& at times, deceptive.

children do not love that way.

children love without thinking.

they truly do love with innocence.

it is a beautiful thing.

but i am not condemning the love amongst adults,

quite the opposite, in fact.

i find it demeaning to put an adult's love

in the hands of children-- so to speak.

i don't think children can hold or comprehend the gravity of an adult's love.

i think that is why children can never quite grasp the love a parent has for their child

until they themselves have a child of their own.

this is a love that is not innocent,

& endures all sorts of trials,

but is, in my opinion, the highest degree of love.

though it can be a

"can't live with it, can't live without it" type of ordeal,

this love is strong & very powerful.

i cherish this kind of love.

this kind of love where two people recognize one another's

faults & issues,

& yet, love one another despite them.

& though we are at times guilty of being rude, wrong, or unforgivable, 

this kind of love will hold to what is true & what is right.

it forgives the faults of each others' love.

it is the hardships that entail this love,

that make it so powerful & moving.

so when i see a picture,

depicting two innocent children

loving

in an adult sort of way,

i am bothered.

the love of a child is innocent & beautiful.

we should never want to replace it with an adult sort of love.

nor should we diminish the gravity of adult love by putting it in such a scene

(whether for a child or lover).

love is amazing in whatever form it comes it.

i hope to always perceive love,

& to always embrace it.