I believe that it was Socrates who wrote that love was the child of Poverty and Plenty. Two things that destroyed themselves, lost their identity, to bring forth something greater.
Love is a romantic feeling, but is it contained to that? I think not. In the Bible, David is said to have loved Jacob -- not only in a brotherly love kind of way but a true love for another individual, for his spirit.
The bible also says:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(I Corinthians 13:4-7)
and one of my favorite quotes,
"My love is a fever. My love is a fable. My love is jazz licks, improvised by toddlers; bold Ulysses by nursery rhyme and fire light."
~Over the Rhine
http://www.overtherhine.com
SO, I suppose my question is this: What is love to you? I challenge you to think before you respond. Think about all the people in life that you have truly loved and cared for. What are the bounds of this human emotion? Is it simply a human emotion? I am interested in a provocative responce. . .you have been challenged!