What Love Tries to Draw

I wrote the poem that became “What Love Tries to Draw” in 2006, approximately 2.5 months after meeting the woman who later became my wife. Back then, I was trying to tell her how much I meant when I said “I love you.” I wanted those three words to hold everything I felt for her, but they just kept falling short. That’s the idea behind the graphic: The painter has captured the subject’s likeness, but his brush pauses when she smiles at him. There’s something in that smile he’s still trying to get onto the canvas. Twenty years later, I’m glad I wrote down what it felt like in the moment. Lyrics: No matter how often those three words are said I wish there were words that went deeper instead I tell you “I love you” and feel it inside But "love" falls short of what I want to describe Appreciation, adoration and awe Are parts of the picture that love tries to draw This four-letter word cannot fully express The feeling that beats its way out of my chest I say “I love you” And every word is true But there’s more than I can say In what I feel for you There isn’t a word for this feeling of mine Perhaps it’s absurd to keep trying to find Some word or some sound that could help you understand What I feel so deeply but can’t hold in my hands I say “I love you” And every word is true But there’s more than I can say In what I feel for you Love’s an enigma, both beautiful and rare And ours has a meaning that only we share I’ve found it in you, and I wish you could see How deeply this love for you burns within me Credits: Original poem and creative direction: E. Burgess Lyric adaptation: Developed with assistance from ChatGPT Music and vocals: Suno AI #WhatLoveTriesToDraw #AcousticBlues #PoemsToSongs #RootedInRupture #LoveSong