Love.
A funny yet peculiar term,
That we as humans sometimes
Fail to understand but cannot ignore.
Like a papercut on the tip of your finger,
You fail to realize it is there.
That is until you notice, the essence of life
oozing from your delicately knitted skin.
Falling in love is a magical feeling but
the idea of the fall should never be questioned.
To love is to find beauty in what the world diminishes and calls ugly.
Even when strangers point their fingers and snicker,
Because true love is what some people call
Love above the label.
— © Tishauni Hall
This piece by Ms. Hall, inspired by the word prompt #LoveAboveTheLabel, is a powerful reflection on love’s ability to transcend judgment and embrace true beauty. As I read it, I was struck by how effortlessly she captured the raw, often unspoken essence of love—its quiet, undeniable presence, much like a papercut we only notice when it truly matters. The way she wove the phrase into her submission felt natural and heartfelt, leaving me reflecting on how we all can learn to see love beyond labels. This is the kind of writing that stays with you, and I’m proud to have it as part of this prompt.