love or lust?

So I've been thinking, where does the line between lust and love live?  When do you know that what you are feeling is more than a one minute romance?

Lust is defined as:

a craving for sexual intimacy, sometimes to the point of assuming a self-indulgent character

 Love is defined as:

an abstract concept, love usually refers to a deep, ineffable feeling of tenderly caring for another person

I've experienced both.  I've loved deeper than I knew possible and frankly, yes, the same goes for lust.  Today I wonder if there is such a thing as love at first sight or even better, first voice.  Can you fall for someone that you only talk with - without the physical connection but surely the emotional?  What if you know this person and it's like wearing an old sock, comfortable, soft and warm. 

Or is it all just lust disguised as love?  What if it's just ego?  What if it's all just that, your ego being fed by sweet words and empty promises?  Are they empty?  How do you know?

Ah, dear Universe, what say you?

Comments

[he or him]

oh my!! this is a good one. I think lust and love are incomplete without the mention of desire. in my opinion that has to be a part of it. i, for example, only had lust for my now wife, way before we were ever in a relationship. when we got to the love stage, lust was replaced with desire. lust, to me, is just simply a thirst for what you want. when i say want, i mean, nothing else matters but satisfying that thirst. it is very powerful to the very being of a person. often with that power though goes ones cognitive thinking. unfortunately that is where the power can be very destuctive too. i think all to often people mistake lust for love and then the damage ensues and thier unlitmate demise. lust may be the beginning but when love becomes true, desire kicks lust to the curb. don't get me wrong. desire is very powerful in itself. i just think that desire is lust "with" the cognative thinking. there was one lady, many years ago, i lusted after from the first second i saw her. in her big glasses, dolphin shorts and disney sweatshirt, i could think of nothing else. that lust took me over and made think of her and only her until i had her. but it did not stop there. the lust was overwhelming at times. well with time went the lust and then, yep....she made me fall in love with her!!! i must admit, lust is usually a lot of fun, but give me love and desire any day. it is much more fulfilling and lasts a lot longer. as i write this i think of the one from way back when with a smile. if i were single i would love to have the desire to lust after her. maybe passing on a bridge somewhere???