One of the first real poets who spoke to my heart, because he was speaking language I understood. I had not heard about him for a long time yet for some reason his name kept coming to mind, so I share Walter Rinder with you!
Love Me
Love me because I try to touch life
within the framework of
uncertainty
love me in the shadows
in decisions as I strive to gain
knowledge
love me in the silence of my hurts
and the noise of my
confusions
love me for the feeling of my heart
not the fears of my mind
love me in my search for truth
though I may stumble upon
fallacy
love me as I pursue my dreams
sometimes retarded by illusions
love me as I grow to know myself
even during the times of
stagnation
love me because I seek harmony
not man’s discord
love me for my body that I wish to
share with affection,
wrapping you in warmth
love me because we are different
because we are the same
love me that our time together will
be spent in growing, kindling
the world with understanding
love me not with expectations
but with hope
I will love you the same.
Walter Rinder
the reluctant bloger 
A – I love the poem!
B – You just introduced me to a new-to-me poet – thank you!
C – I love the slick way you lined up the photos on the right
D – I appreciate you!
Laurie,
Beautiful! I appreciate you!
Jeff — thank you for the lovely poem and introducing me to a new poet. These were perfect words for me to hear this evening. Barbara
Barbara,
I just realized I had never responded to this post! Thank you so much, I hope you have had an opportunity to discover Walter Rinder more!
They were perfect words for me as well….I loved the flow….
I copied and e-mailed thi sto my hubby as well.
We are not spending Thanksgiving together together for the first time in 31 years and I needed this poem today!
Kim,
At the time this poem worked for you! I am glad it was a comfort or a guide!
To truly love ourselves and others in our/their uncertainty and confusion and joy and suffering and whatever-presents-itself. I think we have trouble fully embracing the “Other” because we have trouble fully embracing our self. Our selves. Beautiful poem.
Kathy,
You are so correct, we do have “trouble fully embracing our self” at times !
My favourite bit Jeff is
love me that our time together will
be spent in growing, kindling
the world with understanding
I didn’t know of this poet either… a new treasure to explore.
Best of Thanksgiving to you! Terrill
It seems I missed almost everyone’s posted comments on this blog? Oy! yes those lines just spoke to me this morning Terrill, I think I will use them on my status this morning.
I am so glad to see people are finding Rinder’s writings that I fortunately discovered back in the 70’s. I began my collection of his works when I was going through rough times folowing a divorce and subsequently coming out as a gay man. I am now 61 and reflect upon those times when Walter’s words were my bible. Tomorrow I will go to the attic and retrieve my collection, dust them off and reread evey word of those 13 books and once again put them out on display in my home with pride so that I may again share them with friends. I might add the black and white photography is an extra bonus.
Thank You Dean for sharing your experience with Walter Rinder! I have not found my collection of books as of yet, they are around among another life time of stuff.
Jeff
WALTER RINDER
September 7, 2013 at 9:09 pm
HI THIS IS WALTER RINDER! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHAT WITH ME ON MY FACEBOOK.I HAVE A NEW SELF-PULISHED BOOK I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE WITH YOU
Reply
What a wonderful surprise! To have you Walter Rinder to reply to my blog! I am honored! I did friend you on Facebook and I look forward to chatting with you!