Is love received richer then that of love  
given? Can love be given without being  
received? Is it the giver or the taker who  
benefits more?  
 
So then, let us speak of love.  
 
If the steam does finally find it's way  
through the mountains and valleys  
before becoming part of an ocean's  
roar, it must continue to flow, least  
it dry up, leaving it's brittle and fragile  
remains, in an empty gully. So it is with  
love that is given and not returned.  
 
Then who is the taker or the giver? The  
stream or the ocean? Neither, for without  
the one, there is no other, for they are  
one to each other.  
 
Love can not be given with the  
expectation of love in return. For, 'pure love'  
must mutually be given. There is no 'taker'  
only those who 'give' can receive the  
gift of love.  
 
There are those that would say, 'I have  
given, but not received the love of which  
you speak.' I say to you, the love you have  
given to those that are unworthy, will like a  
leaf in a winter's day, die. Do not despair,  
for in the springtime of your life, love will  
yet again be born unto you and you may  
offer it in all it's glory, anew.  
 
© Joe Fazio
(brief renderings) Joe Fazio
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/is-love-received-richer-than-love-given/