‘Alfie’s Answer’: A Poem by Peter Duff The Society November 8, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 12 Comments . Alfie’s Answer “What’s it all about, Alfie?” —Hal David Not selfish pleasure, as I thought, but love For isolated pleasures quickly sour. Love feeds a hunger nothing else avails The power of love all others overpowers And love is needed in the giving too, For giving love gives more than may appear. From love nothing but goodness emanates; In this one virtue many more inhere: Forgiveness, patience, kindness, thoughtfulness, Compassion, honour, gentleness, respect. Love is a light that never dissipates But propagates, diffuses and reflects, And though by love received is life made sweet, It is in giving love we are complete. . . Peter Duff was born and lives in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland. When not practising law he writes poetry and plays drums. Peter has won second place twice at the Poetry on the Lake Festival in Orta, Italy. He is currently seeking a publisher for his collection “Alfie Poems.” Five more of his poems can be viewed on his website www.dailypoem.net. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 12 Responses Paul A. Freeman November 8, 2023 I believe you have found the answer, Peter. Thanks for a thought-provoking read. I loved the Shakespeare-like repetitions and interplays of the word ‘love’ and various forms of the word ‘give’. Thanks for the read. Reply Philip L Flott November 8, 2023 The line “Love feeds a hunger” is exquisit. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson November 8, 2023 Love is not simply a selfish passing pleasure, But seeks to please someone whom they dearly treasure. That is the essence of love I found in your poem and is the opposite of narcissistic reward. Well done. Reply Joseph S. Salemi November 8, 2023 Amor vincit omnia. Reply Jeff Eardley November 8, 2023 “Without true love we just exist,” this is the perfect companion to that great song. Fabulous poem Peter. Reply Gigi Ryan November 8, 2023 Thank you for this beautiful poem describing genuine agape love. Reply David Paul Behrens November 8, 2023 The Beatles said all you need is love, so maybe that’s what it’s all about, Alfie. Reply Margaret Coats November 8, 2023 Alfie seems like an odd speaker for the poem, until we recall the facing-camera remarks in the movies. Nice technique to go from “I” in the first line to “we” in the last. Rhyme scheme xaxaxbcbxdcdee also reveals a transition from half-rhyme to full rhyme as the ultimate idea develops. Admirable “light couplet” at lines 11-12 with four verbs that are applicable to light in the technical study of optics, but equally well describe psychosocial motions of love (and I do mean “motions” not “emotions”). Splendid poem with so much to appreciate, Peter. Reply Peter November 9, 2023 Thank you all for your very kind comments! Peter Reply David Whippman November 10, 2023 A cleverly written and uplifting piece. I wish the younger me could have read it decades ago! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 11, 2023 The title of the poem drew me in – how very clever – and I’m thrilled it did. What a beautiful poetic observation the power of love. I especially like the closing four lines… the build up to them is wonderful! Thank you, Peter. Reply Peter November 12, 2023 Thank you David and Susan. I needed some encouragement – my muse has been absent of late! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Paul A. Freeman November 8, 2023 I believe you have found the answer, Peter. Thanks for a thought-provoking read. I loved the Shakespeare-like repetitions and interplays of the word ‘love’ and various forms of the word ‘give’. Thanks for the read. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson November 8, 2023 Love is not simply a selfish passing pleasure, But seeks to please someone whom they dearly treasure. That is the essence of love I found in your poem and is the opposite of narcissistic reward. Well done. Reply
Jeff Eardley November 8, 2023 “Without true love we just exist,” this is the perfect companion to that great song. Fabulous poem Peter. Reply
David Paul Behrens November 8, 2023 The Beatles said all you need is love, so maybe that’s what it’s all about, Alfie. Reply
Margaret Coats November 8, 2023 Alfie seems like an odd speaker for the poem, until we recall the facing-camera remarks in the movies. Nice technique to go from “I” in the first line to “we” in the last. Rhyme scheme xaxaxbcbxdcdee also reveals a transition from half-rhyme to full rhyme as the ultimate idea develops. Admirable “light couplet” at lines 11-12 with four verbs that are applicable to light in the technical study of optics, but equally well describe psychosocial motions of love (and I do mean “motions” not “emotions”). Splendid poem with so much to appreciate, Peter. Reply
David Whippman November 10, 2023 A cleverly written and uplifting piece. I wish the younger me could have read it decades ago! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 11, 2023 The title of the poem drew me in – how very clever – and I’m thrilled it did. What a beautiful poetic observation the power of love. I especially like the closing four lines… the build up to them is wonderful! Thank you, Peter. Reply
Peter November 12, 2023 Thank you David and Susan. I needed some encouragement – my muse has been absent of late! Reply