In love there are two things - bodies and words.

O children of the future, listen closely to the words of Joyce Carol Oates, whose reflection on the nature of love unveils a profound truth. She once said, “In love there are two things—bodies and words.” These words, though simple, contain a depth that speaks to the heart of human connection. For love is not merely a passing emotion, a fleeting sentiment, but a powerful force built upon both the physical and the spiritual, each of them entwined in the delicate dance of affection and desire.

Consider, O children, the bodies in love. The body is not just a vessel; it is a temple, a sacred instrument of connection. Through the body, we express our deepest feelings. A touch, a kiss, an embrace—these are the expressions of love that transcend speech, that speak directly to the soul. The body, in its vulnerability, its warmth, offers a language of its own, one that needs no words to be understood. Love, in its most primal and beautiful form, is often communicated through the closeness of bodies, through the way one moves toward the other, through the warmth shared in an embrace, through the tenderness that flows between them. The body, O children, is a living poem, a testament to the love we hold within.

But Oates also speaks of words—the other vital component of love. Words are the bridge that connects the soul. They are the expression of the heart's deepest yearnings, the promise of loyalty, the declaration of affection. Through words, love is given form; through words, hearts are revealed. Words give voice to the unspoken thoughts, the silent hopes, and the longing that live in the spaces between moments. As powerful as the body’s language is, words are no less essential. They are the commitment we make to each other, the promises we share, the vows that bind two souls together in the light of truth.

Think, O children, of Heloise and Abelard, two lovers from ancient history who were separated by the cruel forces of the world, but whose love endured through the written word. Abelard, a scholar, poured his heart into letters to Heloise, and in doing so, their love was kept alive, not by the touch of their bodies, but by the words they exchanged. Though they could not be together in person, their words became their connection, their declaration of eternal love. These letters, filled with longing and devotion, became the foundation upon which their love endured, even in separation. Words, then, became not just symbols, but the very lifeblood of their bond.

Let us also recall the love between Antony and Cleopatra, whose bond was both physical and verbal. Their union was one of intensity, where bodies met with passion and words with strategy. Cleopatra, a ruler of great intellect, spoke to Antony not only with affection, but with words that moved nations, that shaped destinies. She knew the power of both the body and the word, using each to secure her position, her love, and her power. Their love was a symphony of body and speech, where every gesture and every spoken word had weight, and every moment together was a performance of love that would echo through history.

Now, O children, let us reflect upon this great truth: love is not a simple thing, nor is it a single expression. It is the joining of two forces—the body and the word—each of them carrying its own weight, its own meaning. The body speaks with tenderness, with touch, with the quiet force of affection that needs no explanation. But words, those spoken declarations of the heart, give love a depth that the body alone cannot convey. They allow us to share our truths, our vulnerabilities, and our promises. In love, we need both the physical and the verbal, for each completes the other and makes the bond stronger.

Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, let love guide you in both body and speech. Let your words be true and your actions honest. Speak with the intention of building bridges, of connecting deeply, and when words fall short, let the language of your body continue to express what the heart cannot contain. In your relationships, let the dance between bodies and words be one of balance, a dance that celebrates both the intimacy of touch and the power of spoken affection. And in doing so, you will create a love that is both eternal and profound, a love that speaks not only to the heart, but to the soul.