I Like You…
I like the way you look,
beauty that leaves me breathless,
eyes that sparkle,
the way you smile.
~
I like the way you think,
each day brings opportunity,
goals to achieve,
new things to see.
~
I like the way you act,
always putting others first,
your kind heart,
a selfless, perfect soul.
~
I like the way you love,
unconditionally with all your heart,
everything you give,
nothing asked in return.
~
I like that you chose me,
to be with you through life,
my best friend,
all that I need ❤️
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❤️
Good poem, Phillip.
An ode to everlasting love and friendship.
Thank you for allowing me to read your wonderful poem.
Ambiguity
The word "like" suggests uncertainty about this relationship. Beauty is a powerful word, used on the same level as like; its significance is too strong for like to express. It creates ambiguity for your reader, causing what follows to seem dull.
Without haste, this relatively weak word, like, opposite—opportunity, goals, and achievement, is an anomaly that can’t exist within the same dynamic environment. The word "see" feels safe because its tone doesn’t demand much; it only seeks familiarity. However, the last three words—opportunity, goals, and achievement—carry substance, weight, and boundaries. A person or character may like anything, but it takes someone to love setting limits and establishing timelines for opportunities, goals, and achievements.
The opening word "Like" immediately diminishes the seriousness of the subsequent words, such as "act," "put others first," "kind heart," "selfless," and "perfect soul." The reader was distracted right at "like"; the word grated on my ears, breaking apart like screeching paper with every harsh sound. In short, the Byronic heroism at the core of the piece is overshadowed and weakened. The casual use of "like" dominates the text, failing to match the gravity and significance of the virtues that follow.
Like someone uncertain of their direction, she hopes your words will grow from simple liking into the responsibility of love. She has given a lot but received little in return. If this were a two-sided relationship, hearing her perspective would help clarify whether it is mutual.
The final section discusses phantom power, but it remains ambiguous. It gives the recipient the option to connect with the speaker as equals. Yet some critical words remain unresolved: "I like you," "you chose me (paradox)," "reciprocity," "I want you to be my best friend (emotional malnutrition)," and "I am OK with this way of life forever." At this point, the person must ask themselves, Is this as good as it gets? Will I stay in the "like" zone—simple, steady, and always available? The ambiguity serves both as a character device and a narrative tool. It provides the writer with an emotional advantage, creating a space between connection and self-protection, clarity, and comfortable obscurity.