Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt: Ryu Shi-hwa’s Poetic Conversations

Ryu Shi-hwa: Greetings, dear readers, and welcome to this gathering of poetic souls and timeless wisdom. In these conversations, we journey together through the profound themes of life, love, and spirituality, guided by voices that echo across time and cultures.

As I compiled the poems for Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt, I sought works that spoke not just to the intellect, but to the heart and soul. Each poem was chosen for its ability to pierce through the surface of life’s experiences and reach the universal truths that connect us all. Some poems, like Rumi’s The Guest House or Gibran’s Love, offer profound spiritual insights. Others, such as Maya Angelou’s I Have Learned or Tagore’s Light, celebrate the resilience and beauty of the human spirit.

I sought diversity—not only in voices, but also in perspectives and experiences. From the intimate vulnerability of Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s The Invitation to the cosmic reflections of David Wagoner’s The Silence of the Stars, each piece offers something unique. Yet, all share a common thread: they invite us to look within ourselves, to find courage in vulnerability, meaning in transience, and strength in love.

These poems are not just words on a page; they are mirrors reflecting our shared humanity. They are bridges connecting us to the deeper currents of life. As we embark on this exploration together, I hope these conversations will inspire you to live with an open heart, to embrace the unknown, and to discover the extraordinary within the ordinary. Let us begin."

Embracing Vulnerability and Resilience in Life’s Journey

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Welcome, my esteemed poets. Today, we gather to discuss the profound interplay between vulnerability and resilience. Each of you has explored this in your works, offering wisdom that resonates deeply. To begin, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, in “The Invitation,” you emphasize authenticity and daring to live fully. Could you share your thoughts on how vulnerability shapes resilience?

Oriah Mountain Dreamer:
Thank you, Ryu. I believe vulnerability is the seed of resilience. In my poem, I write about the courage to sit with discomfort, to stay in the brokenness of life without running. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s the foundation of connection. Resilience is born when we stop numbing and start embracing the rawness of our experiences.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
That is beautifully said. Maya Angelou, your poem “I Have Learned” touches on lessons that stem from life's trials. How do you see resilience developing through those experiences?

Maya Angelou:
Resilience is a quiet strength, Ryu, a quality that blossoms when we endure storms and still find the will to dance. Vulnerability invites us to confront our truths, even the painful ones, and through this confrontation, we grow. I often say, "Still I rise," because rising isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence and grace in the face of adversity.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
David Whyte, your poem “Journey” speaks of walking into the unknown. How does vulnerability guide us when we face uncertainty?

David Whyte:
Vulnerability is the invitation to step into the unknown, unarmed and open. When we embrace our fragility, we find strength—not in avoiding fear but in moving through it. The act of walking forward, despite trembling hands and an unsteady heart, is where resilience takes root.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Rabindranath Tagore, your work often intertwines vulnerability with the beauty of life. How do you find resilience in life’s impermanence, as expressed in “Light”?

Rabindranath Tagore:
Ryu, vulnerability allows us to see the fleeting nature of life, but within that, we discover resilience. It’s the recognition that life’s beauty lies in its transience. Resilience comes from embracing the ebb and flow of existence, the light that flickers but never dies. As I wrote, "Let my love, like sunlight, surround you and yet give you illumined freedom." Vulnerability is the sunlight; resilience is the freedom it brings.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Kahlil Gibran, your poem “Tears” reflects the profound strength found in pain. What role do you see vulnerability playing in transforming sorrow into resilience?

Kahlil Gibran:
Pain and tears are the alchemists of the soul, Ryu. Vulnerability allows us to feel sorrow deeply, but it also teaches us the depth of our strength. Through tears, we cleanse, we learn, and we rebuild. Resilience is born from this rebuilding—it is the phoenix rising from the ashes of vulnerability.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
You have all shared such profound wisdom. To close, I’d like to ask: If you could leave one piece of advice on embracing vulnerability to nurture resilience, what would it be?

Oriah Mountain Dreamer:
Stay open, even when it hurts. There is no resilience without first allowing yourself to feel.

Maya Angelou:
Remember, every scar tells a story of survival. Wear them proudly, for they are your badges of resilience.

David Whyte:
Walk forward, even if you don’t know the destination. Vulnerability leads; resilience follows.

Rabindranath Tagore:
Find beauty in the impermanent, for within its fragility lies your strength.

Kahlil Gibran:
Do not fear your tears; they are the waters that nourish the roots of your soul.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Thank you all for your timeless wisdom. May your words continue to inspire those who seek strength through vulnerability.

Finding Meaning in Transience and Change

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Welcome back, my friends. Today, we explore the profound beauty and lessons found in transience and change. Life’s impermanence often seems daunting, yet each of you has discovered meaning within it. Let’s begin with “This Too Shall Pass,” a timeless insight from the Persian Sufi poets. Could you explain the significance of this phrase and its connection to change?

Persian Sufi Poet (representative voice):
Certainly, Ryu. “This Too Shall Pass” is a reminder of life’s impermanence. Both joy and sorrow are fleeting, like waves upon the shore. Change is not something to resist but to embrace. In the flow of change, we find the wisdom to live fully—accepting each moment as it is and knowing it will pass.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Beautifully said. Rabindranath Tagore, your poem “When Life Ends” touches on mortality with such grace. How do you find meaning in life’s transient nature?

Rabindranath Tagore:
Life’s transience gives it depth, Ryu. In knowing that our time is limited, we are urged to live more fully, to love more deeply. As I wrote, “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” Change, even the ultimate change of death, is but a transition to something greater.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Derek Walcott, in “Only Later,” you reflect on the wisdom gained through life’s changes. How does hindsight deepen our understanding of impermanence?

Derek Walcott:
Ryu, hindsight is a gift of transience. Only later do we see the significance of fleeting moments and how they shaped us. The impermanence of those moments teaches us gratitude. Change is the rhythm of existence, and when we embrace it, we see that every loss contains a hidden gain.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Wislawa Szymborska, your poem “Possibilities” celebrates the infinite choices we face. How does the transient nature of life influence these possibilities?

Wislawa Szymborska:
Life’s impermanence is its canvas, Ryu. Because nothing lasts forever, every moment becomes precious, every choice significant. The ephemeral nature of life compels us to act, to choose, to create meaning amidst uncertainty. As I wrote, “I prefer to leave early,” because transience invites us to savor life without attachment.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Pablo Neruda, your poem “Farewell” conveys the bittersweet nature of change. How do you reconcile the pain of letting go with the beauty of moving forward?

Pablo Neruda:
Letting go is an act of love, Ryu. In saying goodbye, we honor the moments that have passed while opening our hearts to what lies ahead. Change is the poet’s muse—it carries both the weight of loss and the lightness of renewal. Without change, there is no growth, no poetry.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Such wisdom from all of you. As we close, I’d like to ask: If you could offer one thought to help others find peace in life’s transience, what would it be?

Persian Sufi Poet:
Embrace the flow of life, for resistance creates suffering, but acceptance brings peace.

Rabindranath Tagore:
See each moment as a brushstroke on the canvas of eternity; even the smallest mark matters.

Derek Walcott:
Cherish the present, for it is a gift you will not hold again.

Wislawa Szymborska:
Choose to live fully now, for the beauty of life lies in its impermanence.

Pablo Neruda:
Do not fear farewells—they are the beginnings of new journeys.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Thank you all for sharing your profound insights. May we all find grace in the transient nature of life and cherish the beauty it reveals.

Love as a Transformative Force

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Welcome, my dear poets. Today, we delve into the theme of love—a force that transcends boundaries, transforms hearts, and reshapes lives. Each of you has illuminated the power of love in your work. Let us begin with Kahlil Gibran. In your poem “Love,” you write, “When love beckons to you, follow him.” How do you see love as a force of transformation?

Kahlil Gibran:
Love is both a blessing and a challenge, Ryu. It strips us of pretense, revealing our truest selves. Love does not come to comfort—it comes to awaken. It breaks us open, but in that breaking, it plants seeds of growth. When we surrender to love, we are transformed into our highest potential.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Profound. Wislawa Szymborska, in your poem “Love at First Sight,” you explore the serendipity of love. How does love’s unexpected nature contribute to its transformative power?

Wislawa Szymborska:
Love’s power lies in its unpredictability, Ryu. It appears without warning, changing everything in its path. In “Love at First Sight,” I suggest that even chance meetings are part of a larger cosmic order. Love transforms by making the mundane extraordinary—it gives meaning to moments we might have otherwise overlooked.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Jane Hirshfield, in “The Knot,” you write about the intertwining of lives through love. How does connection transform individuals?

Jane Hirshfield:
Love weaves us together, Ryu, creating a fabric stronger than its individual threads. In “The Knot,” I explore how love binds us—not to limit but to enrich. True connection challenges us to grow, to expand beyond ourselves. Transformation occurs in the vulnerability and mutual trust love demands.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Omar Khayyam, in “Come to the Spring Garden,” your words are filled with the sensual and celebratory aspects of love. How does love’s joy transform our perspective on life?

Omar Khayyam:
Love is life’s greatest celebration, Ryu. It fills the soul with wine and the heart with song. In “Come to the Spring Garden,” I invite readers to revel in love’s beauty, for it reminds us of life’s fleeting nature. Love transforms by teaching us to savor every moment as a divine gift.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
The Inuit Tribe’s “Song of the Inuit People” speaks of love as a force of survival and community. How does love transform in the context of shared existence?

Inuit Tribe (representative voice):
Love is the thread that holds a community together, Ryu. It is not just romantic—it is the bond of shared responsibility, care, and sacrifice. In harsh landscapes, love transforms survival into a shared triumph. It teaches us that we are stronger together than alone.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Each of you has revealed a unique facet of love’s transformative power. To close, what advice would you offer to those seeking to experience love’s full potential?

Kahlil Gibran:
Do not fear love’s pain; it is the chisel that sculpts your soul.

Wislawa Szymborska:
Stay open to love’s surprises—they are the universe’s way of guiding you.

Jane Hirshfield:
Embrace the bonds of love, for they are the foundation of your growth.

Omar Khayyam:
Celebrate love passionately, for it is the heart’s greatest joy.

Inuit Tribe:
Love one another, for it is the strength of the human spirit.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Thank you, my friends, for these heartfelt reflections. May your words inspire others to embrace the transformative power of love in all its forms.

The Interplay of Silence, Solitude, and Self-Discovery

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Greetings, my dear poets. Today, we turn inward to explore the themes of silence, solitude, and the self. Each of you has used these concepts to illuminate profound truths. Let us begin with Rumi. In “The Guest House,” you liken the human soul to a guest house. How do silence and solitude create a space for self-discovery?

Rumi:
Silence is the doorway to the soul, Ryu. In solitude, we meet ourselves fully—our joys, our sorrows, our fears. In “The Guest House,” I encourage us to welcome every guest, even those who bring pain, for they are messengers from the unseen. Silence and solitude teach us to listen to these messengers and grow from their wisdom.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Profound. Rainer Maria Rilke, in your poem “Now I Know,” you delve into the depths of self-awareness. How does solitude guide us to deeper understanding?

Rainer Maria Rilke:
Solitude is a sacred teacher, Ryu. It removes distractions, forcing us to confront the truth of who we are. In “Now I Know,” I write of the stillness that reveals the soul’s infinite depth. Only in solitude can we embrace the fullness of our being and understand our place in the world.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
David Wagoner, your poem “The Silence of the Stars” speaks to the quiet grandeur of the cosmos. How does silence connect us to something greater than ourselves?

David Wagoner:
Silence is a bridge, Ryu. It connects the finite to the infinite, the individual to the universal. In “The Silence of the Stars,” I invite readers to listen—not with their ears but with their hearts. Silence holds the wisdom of the stars, reminding us that we are part of a vast, interconnected whole.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Mary Oliver, in “The Crab,” you explore nature as a source of reflection and quiet revelation. How does solitude in nature foster self-discovery?

Mary Oliver:
Nature is the ultimate mirror, Ryu. In its silence, we see ourselves more clearly. In “The Crab,” I describe moments of quiet observation where life’s truths unfold. Solitude in nature teaches us humility and awe—it strips away the noise and brings us back to the essence of who we are.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Finally, Jane Hirshfield, in “The Sound of Silence,” you write about the paradoxical fullness of silence. How does silence help us to embrace both the emptiness and richness of life?

Jane Hirshfield:
Silence is not emptiness—it is the fullness of potential, Ryu. In “The Sound of Silence,” I explore how stillness allows us to hear life’s subtler melodies. Silence teaches us to sit with the unknown, to find meaning in the spaces between words. In this embrace of silence, we discover our truest selves.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Each of you has offered such profound insights into the interplay of silence, solitude, and self-discovery. As we close, what advice would you give to those seeking clarity through these practices?

Rumi:
Invite silence into your life as a guest—it will teach you more than words ever could.

Rainer Maria Rilke:
Do not fear solitude; it is where you will find your greatest truths.

David Wagoner:
Listen to the silence of the stars—they will remind you of your place in the universe.

Mary Oliver:
Walk in nature’s quiet places; they will show you who you truly are.

Jane Hirshfield:
Sit with silence—it will reveal the richness of life you have been too busy to notice.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Thank you, my friends, for these beautiful reflections. May your words inspire others to embrace the power of silence and solitude on their journey of self-discovery.

Spiritual Wisdom and Universal Truths

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Welcome once more, my fellow seekers of wisdom. Today, we delve into the profound realm of spiritual insight and universal truths. Each of you has illuminated the mysteries of existence in unique and timeless ways. Let us begin with St. Francis of Assisi. In your “Prayer,” you emphasize selflessness and divine love. How do universal truths manifest in acts of service?

St. Francis of Assisi:
Thank you, Ryu. Service is the purest expression of universal love. When we serve others, we reflect the divine, for in giving, we receive. In “Prayer,” I write, “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.” These acts transcend individuality and connect us to the eternal truth of unity.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Beautifully expressed. Anne Sexton, in “Believing in God,” you wrestle with faith and its complexities. How do doubt and belief coexist in the search for spiritual wisdom?

Anne Sexton:
Doubt is not the enemy of belief, Ryu—it is its companion. In “Believing in God,” I confront the fragility and strength of faith. Wisdom arises when we embrace our questions rather than fear them. The universal truth lies in the tension between knowing and not knowing, for it is there we find grace.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
W.B. Yeats, in your “A Prayer for Myself,” you write about seeking clarity and peace. How do personal spiritual journeys reflect universal truths?

W.B. Yeats:
Every personal journey is a thread in the great tapestry of existence, Ryu. In “A Prayer for Myself,” I seek the stillness that connects the individual soul to the universal. Spiritual wisdom emerges when we align our inner lives with the greater harmony of the cosmos. It is in stillness and self-awareness that universal truths are revealed.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Nazim Hikmet, your poem “True Journey” speaks of the interconnectedness of all beings. How does this concept of unity shape your understanding of spiritual truth?

Nazim Hikmet:
Unity is the foundation of all spiritual wisdom, Ryu. In “True Journey,” I write of the invisible threads that bind us to one another and the earth. To understand this truth is to realize that harming another is to harm ourselves. Spiritual truth calls us to live with compassion, for we are all reflections of the same divine essence.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Finally, Mother Teresa, in “Nevertheless,” you remind us of the power of perseverance in the face of challenges. How does spiritual wisdom sustain us during life’s trials?

Mother Teresa:
Spiritual wisdom is the light that guides us through darkness, Ryu. In “Nevertheless,” I write about continuing to love, serve, and believe even when faced with doubt or adversity. The universal truth is that love and faith are not feelings—they are choices. Through these choices, we find strength and peace.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Such profound insights from each of you. As we close, what is one universal truth you wish everyone to carry in their hearts?

St. Francis of Assisi:
To love is to know the divine.

Anne Sexton:
Embrace the questions—they lead to wisdom.

W.B. Yeats:
Seek stillness, for it reveals the harmony of existence.

Nazim Hikmet:
Live with compassion, for we are all one.

Mother Teresa:
Choose love, even when it is hard, for it is the greatest truth of all.

Ryu Shi-hwa:
Thank you, my friends, for your timeless wisdom. May your words inspire those seeking spiritual clarity and universal truths to live with love, faith, and understanding.

Short Bios:

Ryu Shi-hwa

Ryu Shi-hwa is a Korean poet, writer, and compiler celebrated for his ability to curate profound literary works that touch the heart and soul. Known for his anthology Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt, he brings together timeless poems that explore themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the universal truths of human existence. His work emphasizes the power of poetry to inspire introspection, healing, and spiritual growth, resonating with readers across cultures and generations.