Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon, by (presumably) Solomon

A conversation this morning caused me to open my Bible and read Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs, as it is sometimes called). I have read this one before, but it is a classic, and always an interesting read. While I have always been fascinated by love stories, I do tend to lean toward the tragic ones that involve pain and suffering. Song of Solomon has none of that, and it is refreshing not to be depressed while reading.

The book is a collection of love notes from the Beloved (the girl) to the Lover (the guy) and vice versa. Interjecting occasionally are the Friends, indicating to me that at least at some points in their relationship, the Beloved and the Lover are guilty of some unashamed PDA. There is good balance though, occasionally they also slip down to their vineyard for some alone time, where they sing the praises of each other's physical characteristics.

While these things are exciting and I someday hope to experience this kind of love with my husband, I think it would take me about 3 weeks to get tired of it. I prefer a deeper, more calm kind of love. I would have liked it very much if Song of Solomon had a sequel. The whole portrayal of being constantly gaga over your lover seems unrealistic after the honeymoon stage wears off. The book in the Bible directly after Song of Solomon should be Song of Solomon, Part 2: The 10-Years-Down-The-Road Love Story. It should depict the Lover and the Beloved when her boobs are sagging and the kids are fighting and they still love each other but their minds have matured so now they are enchanted by a glint in the eye, a tender look, a caring spirit. They can no longer sing the praises of their bodies (her breasts go from "like fawns of gazelles" to "sea cucumbers") but they can sing the praises of the things they have accomplished together and how beautiful their kids are and how good a father or mother they are and how nice it is to sit and chat over a cup of coffee. That's the kind of love I ultimately want.

Still... I'm young. It would be really cool to chase someone through a vineyard and have somebody tell me my eyes are "like doves." At least for the first three weeks after I'm married. After that, VOMIT.