It’s Not Love

If not spoken with patience,
Nor clothed in kindness,
If it boasts of its rightness,
Or proud of its correctness,

If it dishonors the hearer,
Implying others are lesser,
If it intends to stirs anger,
Or takes worldly sides,

If it threatens revenge,
Or rejoices in harm,
If it twists facts for advantage,
Or seeks to silence through control,

If it wraps lies in truth,
Or takes hope from the despised,
Is offered when only returned,
Or causes division not unity,

If it preys on fear,
Or forgives only when forgiven,
If it tears down the broken,
Instead of treating their wounds,

If it mocks with cynicism,
Or insincere in its compassion,
If it falters in its consistency—

Then it is not love.