When you think of the word ‘love’ what comes to mind? ‘Love’ seems to encompass so much more than just the vagueness of one word. The Greek had four different words for our one word. Yesterday I posted about Phileo (or Philia) love, known as a brotherly love, or the love one would find in an authentic friendship. Today’s poem is about Storge love, or affectionate/familial love. It is the type of love found amongst family members or within a community. It implies that there is a deep commitment and certain duty that goes along with it. Even for married couples, when there seems to be no sex drive, or they go for a long time not being intimate, this is the type of love the holds them together. They are loyal to each other. They stick together, through thick and thin. They have a commitment to each other, and their commitment is, in a large part, unconditional.
I found the following on Wikipedia about CS Lewis’ book, “The Four Loves”:
- It is described as the most natural, emotive, and widely diffused of loves: natural in that it is present without coercion; emotive because it is the result of fondness due to familiarity; and most widely diffused because it pays the least attention to those characteristics deemed “valuable” or worthy of love and, as a result, is able to transcend most discriminating factors.
What do you think of this statement? Do you think that there is a lack of Storge love now-a-day, especially amongst married couples and lovers? Do you think that the lack of this love could be part of the reason we see so much divorce and lack of commitment? What are your views on this?
The Katauta poetry form is a short Japanese form, much like the Haiku. It is three lines in length. The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven syllables. And the last line has five or seven syllables. It does not have to rhyme.
stacilys.wordpress.com 
I really love this Staci. I love the different meanings for love and the way you presented it embedded in the art. And, never heard of the katauta form of poetry…could come in helpful for me at times if I can’t make it work as a haiku 🙂
As for the reason for a lack of this type of love…I might go out on a limb and say that the first type of love that is necessary for any other love to be held…SELF LOVE…may be the culprit in its lack! All this is near and dear to me right now 😉 ❤
Oh yes Lorrie. Even in the Bible it says, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” How can one truly love another without loving themselves. Like in my last post about ‘Philia love’, I mentioned Aristotle’s observation as, the object of philia is “another oneself” because one must feel philia for oneself in order to feel the highest form of philia for another.
Thank you for sharing that Lorrie. You go and make sure you love and nurture yourself girl.
🙂 ❤
It all starts there Staci!! I did not always know this…but I do now!! Much love, friend! ❤
Ohhh, so glad you do Lorrie. You’re a lovely person and you need to love yourself.
🙂 ❤
I agree with you totally. It is the lack of this love in the world today that sees unfortunately the breakup of so many families. Your posts on love are thought provoking for me. And your poetry is beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them. My anniversary is coming up and I wanted to touch on the topic. Love seems to be a very vague topic in the English language, and modern culture seems to have changed in such a way that ‘love’ values aren’t understood so much anymore. People go a lot by feelings and experience, leaving out the tough stuff.
Thanks again.
🙂
I think it’s great that you’ve gone on this journey of love. Nothing better than thinking about love.
Haha. Yes, nothing better than thinking about love. You know, my anniversary is coming up. I thought I’d touch on the topic and see if there are any others out there that think as I do, or who knows? Maybe cause a few to think?
Thanks Audrey. You’re awesome.
🙂
This kind of love I truly understand. It goes without saying that the trust and bond you share rises above all else. There is nothing quite like this kind of love, at least for me 😉
Oh wonderful. Yes, it’s beautiful. It says commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, things of virtue.
🙂
Yes:)
We are living in a disposable world. It something gets old, you just throw in out and get a new one. If it breaks, you don’t fix it. You just throw it out and get a new one. If if becomes difficult and cumbersome, you just throw it out and get a new one. And sadly, in a world where “it’s all about me” as it is nowadays, that goes for people too. 🙂
Very well said Natalie. It’s so true. We live in a disposable, and might I add, instant gratification world. Sad indeed. Values that were so strong in the past, aren’t so prominent anymore.
🙂
Very interesting typology… selflessness is probably an “ingredient” of true love… for example, mothers think always first of their children… I’m looking forward to reading your next post, each “face” of love is so interesting… maybe love is like a diamond with many different facets you’re explaining… have a nice day 🙂 ♥
Ohhh, thank you so much Frederic. Have you ever heard of CS Lewis’ book, “The Four Loves”? I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my list of ‘books to read’. I’m interested in it because I think that modern culture doesn’t seem to appreciate all of it’s facets. It seems to me like people depend too much on feeling and experience. Natalie’s comment said it wonderfully. Maybe you’d like to check it out?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Frederic.
Much love and blessings to you.
🙂 ❤
I do think a lot of things about that statement, but I will have to get back to you on it…I am a deep deep in the imaginary world of childhood at the moment ❤ ❤ ❤
Ohhhh, I’m so glad you are writing stuff for children Trini. I’m sure it’s magical and fun. Do you think you will be writing anything and posting for Christmas for children? That would be lovely.
By the way, I saw a post today that was sharing something about Norway. I haven’t actually watched it yet, but I want to forward it on to you after. It’s suppose to be amazing.
Many blessings to you sweet Trini.
🙂 ❤
Yes, I am actually planning a Christmas Calendar on my Granny’s Garden site, you know like a little piece of a story every day up till Christmas 🙂 I have allready written a christmas story called the Christmas Rose, but I will try to get it published in a children’s magazine, before I publish it on any of my blogs, some editors prefer to only publish stories that have not been published anywhere before including blogs. So we will see what happens 🙂 I am actually starting a children’s book as well these days. Let’s see what happens 🙂
Lots of blessings to you as well lovely friend! ❤ ❤ ❤
Ohhhhhh, that’s just great Trini. I can’t wait to see what you’re imagination has for us this Christmas season. I’m sure it will be full of magic and wonder, just perfect for Christmas.
Bless you too sweetie.
🙂 ❤
I’m somewhat reticent about definitions of love, since they are all perspectives of said authors. I think that love means different things and at different levels to different people, and changes with age. As far as divorce is concerned, I believe that there are many reasons that are valid for divorce. However, the casual attitude towards the dissolution of marriage is akin to the casual attitude to an unwanted pregnancy. We have a morality issue that I feel is the root cause of both.
Ohhhhh my friend, I really want to respond to this, but I am sooo tired right now. I want to respond in depth so I’ll leave this until later to respond ok.
🙂
I’m looking forward to your response, Staci. Good night. 🙂
Ok, I’m back. I was just so exhausted the other night that I just couldn’t think straight anymore.
Hmmmm, yes, definitions of love… My whole reason for doing these posts. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but my feeling is that western culture has grown to believe, many times, that love is ‘in love’ or the whole feeling and experience thing. I planned on doing these posts leading up to wedding anniversary, because I wanted to touch on the whole idea of ‘what is love?’ then or ‘what does love entail’. I’m really interested in C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Four Loves”. It’s on my list of books to read now. I don’t that that western ideas of love, in the ‘couple’ sense has always been limited, but I do think that newer generations don’t really know, nor care to know much about love on a deeper level. Like the kind of love that makes one stick it through because of commitment. Natalie commented on the whole idea of a ‘throw away society’. If it doesn’t serve anymore, then get rid of it and a new one. For me, as a Christian, it is very important not to be lead solely by feelings, but that there is an intellectual response and commitment involved. And just as you noted, a ‘morality’ issue as well. I have a ton more that I could say on the topic, but then I’d have to go into other deep subjects.
Thanks for sharing this here Rob. I think you understand well about the ‘love’ subject, and that it’s not just an issue of feelings and experiential.
Hope you’re having a great weekend. Did you get your leaves raked?
🙂
Articulated perfectly, Staci! It seem that everything is disposable and has no value unless instant gratification is obtained. The new generation must be taught by the existing generation that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Don’t throw in the towel because there is disagreement. Stay together and show the next generation the value of family.
I couldn’t have said it better Rob. I’m sooooo glad that you feel that way, and that you’re a man of principles and values.
Bless you.
🙂
This is wonderful how you have continued with this theme of “love” and the different types. This post is also quite lovely, as was the previous post, “Philia”, now addressing “Storge” love. I agree with CS Lewis, perhaps this is more of an emotional and intellectual love that transcends the physical. I imagine this is the glue that holds individuals and families together. This is a terrific post, lovely poem, the double Katauta, great information about storge love, as well as your thoughts and questions. Beautiful presentation! I’m looking forward to the next in the series! Please take good care!
Warm wishes,
Pepperanne
Thank you so much Pepperanne.
“I imagine this is the glue that holds individuals and families together.”
–Oh YES, YES, YES. You said it perfectly here. I love this, and it is so true. It truly is the ‘glue that holds individuals and families together’. My latest post is about ‘eros’ love that obviously touches on the romantic side of love. However, this type of romantic love absolutely needs this storge, and even philia to be able to last. I am so enriched by this one statement you made here Pepperanne. So simple, yet packed a punch in my understanding of the whole topic.
You have said such kind and nice words, and I truly appreciate them and am thankful for them and you.
Hope you’re having a great weekend. As for me, today is my 11 year anniversary. I started it with pampering myself yesterday with a new hair cut, highlights, had my eyebrows done, and went out for a great dinner with my hubby. I’m off to celebrate more.
Take care and warm wishes.
Staci
Staci, thank you for such a thoughtful reply. Happy Anniversary! I hope that you had a wonderful celebration, and I’m thrilled to hear that you were pampering yourself, always fun! I’m looking forward to catching up on your series of “love”, I have fallen a little behind, so Monday and Tuesday are devoted to just reading, no writing! Please enjoy the upcoming week, and thank you for sharing with me, you are so very kind, and of course please take good care.
Always warm wishes,
Pepperanne
Awww, thanks Pepperanne. We did have a great celebration. And pampering myself, although I don’t get the chance to do so often, when I do get the chance it’s awesome. I guess it just makes it such a treat being that it isn’t often.
You have a great week too and take care of you.
🙂
WOW WOW, love the haikus! ❤ ❤
I LOVE all the poems I read, where you've explored the different scenarios and aspects. Although I wouldn't know much about familial love (you know it), or but I think that after getting to know so many people I have found that there is always a compensation act going on in our lives – naturally. If it's not family, it's friends, one person or many, we get the love we're capable of accepting, not more and not less. I'm so glad that you're touching up on so many forms of poetry too, hope I can learn something along the way.
Ahem *clears throat* so I am on a binge-reading spree on your blog because honestly I am an idiot for sleeping too much in winters (can you imagine I ran out of tea supply, my brain is in absolute turmoil these days – more like frozen and ALREADY)
Ah, I feel like a complete dolt! ANYWAY, this is about you awesome lady, it's always a joy to visit your blog, Staci! 😀
Hope you and the kids are well!
Considering how long this comment is and is still going strong I should have written you a legit letter, seriously. Hehehe ^_^
Okay, i'll shut up, bye for now!
Awwww, thank you so much, my friend. I truly do appreciate your presence here and your lovely comments.
Hahahahaha. When I lived in Canada, I had a very hard time waking up in the mornings when it was winter. I do not envy you at all. I’m in spring right now, with lots of rain lately, but it gets light out, bright and early. That helps with waking up. And ‘Oh no!’ what the heck happened? No tea? How are you managing? I’m sure you must have gotten some by now, right?
We are all doing well. My hubby and I had a great anniversary celebration, and the kids slept over at my in-laws. YEAH!
Hope you are well.
🙂 ❤
Hahaha, I knew you’d be surprised! I had bouts of mental black-outs without tea umm..let’s not go there I have bought a LOT of it now so I’m good! 😀
Really? When was it?! Belated Happy Anniversary to the both of you, may you stay happy together FOREVER! ❤
Aww, I'm sure the kids must have enjoyed a lot as well! ❤
I'm well, thank you! ^_^
Thank you so much. Yes, we had a nice dinner out, and the kids stayed with my in-laws. We actually got to sleep in, which is NOT normal.
So glad you got your tea. I was starting to get worried. “Oh no, what’s she going to do. We’ve gotta get some tea into her. If not, we don’t know what she’s capable of.” Hahaha – just joking.
So glad you’re well.
🙂 ❤