I DO NOT LOVE MY ICE CREAM

by David D. Hambleton

I do not love my ice cream

I know, it’s sad to tell.

I do not love my ice cream

But I like it oh, so well.

Ice cream is smooth and creamy

It cools my tongue and mouth

The flavors are just so dreamy

If I lost it I’d probably pout.

I do not love my ice cream

But enjoy it? Yes! I do!

I do not love my ice cream

But, Baby, I love you.

Ice cream is a wonderful thing

All flavors, colors and styles.

What is your favorite kind?

It brings cheer and big bright smiles.

It is made of milk most of the time,

And maybe a bit too much sweet,

But all told it is a healthy snack.

So what’s not to love in this treat?

Love is the problem, abused in this way.

It is not for ice cream or a tart.

Love is a very special word,

And it’s best if we keep it apart.

It gets dragged around through too many normal,

everyday, run-of-the-mill phrases.

When we use it too much, we miss a chance

To say what really the case is.

Love is not for a sunset. “I love those colors.”

Love is not for a play. “Don’t you just love Shakespeare?”

Love is not for dinner. “I just love Mama’s liver and onions.”

Love is not for kidding with. “I married you, I must love you.”

Love is not for a favorite skirt. “I love the way this skirt looks on me. Does it make my backside look big?”

Love is not for a fancy car. “We love our ’68 convertible.”

Love is not for work. “I love being a doctor.”

Love is not an accident. “I think I’m falling in love.”

These feelings are good and they’re right,

But the word is sadly wasted.

Love, done right, is not sentimental.

It is a thing done, not tasted.

It is an action of caring

And making provision for others

An act of selfless sharing

The gifts of God with our brothers

We can do this better;

Love is not for a sunset. “That sunset is beautiful.”

Love is not for a play. “Shakespeare’s wit and wisdom are delightful”

Love is not for dinner. “Mama’s liver and onions are the tastiest!”

Love is not for kidding with. “I married you because I love you.”

Love is not for a favorite skirt. “This skirt really has great color and shape. Does it fit me well?”

Love is not for a fancy car. “Our ’68 convertible is wonderful!”

Love is not for work. “I find my work very fulfilling and look forward to it.”

Love is not for falling in or out of. “I’m becoming very attracted to you.”

That keeps love special

For more important work.

Let’s save it for the best of the best

And keep it out of the muck and the mirk

“I love my husband.”

“I love my country.”

“I love God.”

“I love our family.”

“I love my friends.”

But maybe, “I really like my friends, but I love Pat, who is closer than the others.”

It means a commitment.

To take very good care

Of someone, sometimes better

Than yourself.  And, no, it’s not fair.

It is gentle and patient and kind,

It does not envy or boast

It’s not angry and is happy with truth

Of God’s great gifts it’s the most

I save my deepest love for people

And never for faddish trends

My wife, my kids; Mom, Dad and cousins,

Sisters, brothers and a few dear friends;

But I do love others, we’re supposed to, you see.

We are meant to love others as we do ourselves.

But people are more precious than ice cream,

While I like it and a lot of things on life’s shelves,

I do not love my ice cream.

But, I do… love you.