x "The greatest things—let’s have an understanding—
are not confusing sensuality with passion,
of love with fulfilment,
of heaven with possibility; the greatest things
are about belonging to what you have no command over—
sunsets, tears, and the face that is dearest;
love is about being killed when you lack the inclination."
— Pier Giorgio Di Cicco, from The Honeymoon Wilderness, with thanks to ahuntersheart

“Love is like life, but starts before and continues after. We arrive and depart in the middle.”

Love is Like Life But Longer, written by Simon Van Booy

With thanks to David for the recommendation.

x "… A woman I used to know
Who loved one man from her youth,
Against the strength of the fates
Fighting in somber pride
Never spoke of this thing,
But hearing his name by chance,
A light would pass over her face."
— Sara Teasdale, from “Those Who Love”
(via lydianea)

x "There is a secret boundary between those who are close,
And it cannot be crossed by passion or love—
Though lips fuse in dreadful silence,
And the heart shatters to pieces with love."
— Anna Akhmatova, from The Complete Poems (translated by Judith Hemschemeyer)

x "… It is unbearably painful
For the soul to love silently."
— Anna Akhmatova, from The Complete Poems (translated by Judith Hemschemeyer)

x "Because, because, and because. You
turned around to stare at me and I waved
back: I love you too. What an education:
poetry always demands all my ghosts."
— Rane Arroyo, from “Always”

Red string of fate

The red string of fate, also referred to as the red thread of destiny, red thread of fate, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red string around the ankles of men and women who are destined to be soul mates and will one day marry each other. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger. According to Chinese legend, the deity in charge of “the red thread” is believed to be Yuè Xià Lǎo (月下老, often abbreviated to “Yuèlǎo” [月老]), the old lunar matchmaker god who is also in charge of marriages.

The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmates or a twin flame.

(Source: Wikipedia)

x "There’s a moment when love makes you believe in death for the first time. You recognize the one whose loss, even contemplated, you’ll carry forever, like a sleeping child. All grief, anyone’s grief… is the weight of a sleeping child."
— Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels

x "you are
as I need
water

shall I move?
do you dream?"
— Valentine by Tom Pickard (adapted from blogut)