Forever love

Teenage love is so intense and falling in love for the first time is a massive thing. The Song of Songs is a collection of beautiful Hebrew love poems that convey some of this intensity and rush of desire. These days, teenagers are more likely to communicate through online messages and the language would be more down to earth – so here is the book of the Song of Songs brought bang up-to-date.

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Gemma: What am I going to do? I can’t stop daydreaming about him kissing me…..and more! I feel dizzy when I see him or smell his body spray or hear his name. I’ve got it bad, haven’t I? No wonder everyone fancies him!

Kate: Happy for you. Knew you had the hots for him all along.

Lucy: Yea, it’s about time you admitted it to yourself, girl. We think it’s lovely.

Gemma: I know I’m not one of those pale-skinned beauties that are all the rage at the moment. I can’t help that. My family had me out on the allotment in all weathers and my skin has an outdoor kind of tan. But I am quite pretty I think, in my own way. So how and when can I talk to him properly?

Lucy: You’re gorgeous, babe. He’d be lucky to have you.

Kate: Find him at lunchtime tomorrow. You know who he hangs around with….

The next day
Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Bradley: I noticed your earrings and necklace today. They’re really cool. I’ve got a design in my head that I want to make for you in Technology.

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Gemma: Girls, help! He’s messaged me and I don’t know what to say! There’s a weird feeling in my chest…..

Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Bradley: You’re lovely, Gemma. I love your eyes.

Gemma: You say all the right things lol. You’re not so bad yourself.

The next day
Bradley: I can picture us together in the woods, can you?

Gemma: Be careful with me though. I might look tough but I’m as fragile as a flower.

Bradley: Nice image lol. You look and smell as lovely as a flower too – you’re like a flower amongst thorns in this college.

Gemma: Well, you’re like the best fruit tree in the woods. I love being around you and can’t wait to taste your fruit lol. The way I feel about you makes me feel weak but I know you’re going to look after me. I love watching you play football. I could watch you running around the pitch for hours. You look so fit and strong. And when you came over and said in my ear ‘Come with me! Now is the time!’, I just froze. I didn’t know what to say or do. Sorry.

Bradley: I didn’t know what to think, tbh. I worry that you’ll start avoiding me and then I won’t see your face or hear your voice.

Gemma: That’s so sweet. No, that won’t ever happen. I want to be with you too. I haven’t been able to sleep properly for weeks for thinking about you. Even before I noticed you properly, I felt something was about to happen, like someone special was about to walk into my life – sorry if that sounds weird. I was kind of looking out for you all the time, even though I didn’t know exactly what or who I was looking for, if that makes sense. And then I saw you and I knew and I will never let you go.

Bradley: I feel the same. You’re so beautiful, you know…..your gentle eyes, your flowing hair, your perfect teeth, your scarlet lips, your flawless forehead, your long neck, your soft boobs (sorry, got carried away there for a moment!)……you’re simply perfect. The first time you looked straight into my eyes, you stole my heart. I never knew love could be like this. This feeling is better than beer! Your body holds so many secrets that I cannot wait to discover………

Gemma: I can’t wait for you to discover all of me, too!

A couple of days later
Bradley’s Facebook Status: Well, that was the best thing ever!
Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Lucy: Have you seen Bradley’s status? Does he mean you and him? What have you done? Come on, spill!

Kate: Leave Gemma alone, Lucy. She’ll tell us when she’s ready. Just go ahead and enjoy yourselves, that’s what I say.

Gemma: Mmm, not ready to tell all just yet. But listen to this – last night, I must have fallen asleep but my heart wasn’t sleeping. It heard the tapping on the window and woke me up. My hair was a right mess and I’d taken my dressing gown off and didn’t know where my slippers were.……I was so nervous but was pretty sure it must be him…..but by the time I’d got the courage to open the window, he’d lost his nerve and gone. I couldn’t believe it! He didn’t have his phone on him or wasn’t answering anyway. I went out and wandered round the streets for a bit but I couldn’t find him. I got stopped by a policeman who gave me a rough time and I had to come home. I don’t know what to do. I’m scared I’ve lost him forever. If you see him, will you tell him what’s happened and that I’m totally in love with him?

Kate: What’s so special about him? You don’t want to make a fool of yourself.

Lucy: You don’t want to make us look like idiots either, do you? There are plenty of other great boys out there.

Gemma: What are you talking about? No one compares to him. I love the colour of his skin and his jet black hair; his eyes, his cheeks, his lips are just perfect. And have you seen his strong arms and his perfect body and muscly legs? He’s gorgeous, totally gorgeous.

Kate: OK,OK we’ll help you. Where do you think he might have gone?

Lucy: Yeah, have you got any idea where he might be?

Gemma: We’re shared so much. I let him get closer to me than any other boy before. That’s all I know.

Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Bradley: It’s me, Brad. I had to get in touch to tell you how lovely and beautiful you are…….you know how I feel about your hair, your teeth, your skin……nothing has changed. You’re the one. You‘re the only one.

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Lucy: Is that him, Gemma? You’ve gone quiet. Is he messaging you right now?

Kate: I bet he is. I can sense it. He just can’t stay away.

Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Bradley: I just had to take some time. How much I need and want you scares me a bit.

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Kate: Hey, Gemma, answer us! Just let us know you’re OK!

Lucy: Come on girl, put us out of our misery. We’re worried about you. I wish I could write poetry that was as beautiful as you are. I’m lost for words. I can’t find the words to describe your gorgeous legs, your cute belly button, your perfect waist, your boobs, your neck, your eyes, your nose, your head, your hair……..you were amazing, you are amazing……I can’t stop thinking about how it all felt…..

Gemma: So let’s do it again. I am yours and you are mine. Let’s go away somewhere, anywhere….I want to be with you, give you all that I am and all that I have. If only our families were OK with us being together…..

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Lucy: Come on Gemma, you’re beginning to annoy me now. Are you back together or not?

Kate: Of course they are, Lucy. I can just tell.

Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Gemma: Bradley, my love for you is like a fire that can never be put out. It will burn forever. I will love you always and no one can stop me. We were born to be together.

Group Chat: Gemma, Kate, Lucy
Kate: Really? Can all this be worth it? We should have made her stay away from him. We should have protected her from all this love stuff.

Lucy: Yup, she’s got into this too deep too quickly.

Gemma: Hey, I’m here you know. I’ve never felt like this before – so desired and loved and special. And my love is mine to do what I want with and I have chosen to give it to him.

Direct message: Bradley, Gemma
Bradley: If that’s your friends talking to you on that group chat thing you’ve got going, listen to them. What have they got to say?

Gemma: Forget them. Just come away with me. Let’s make plans. Where do you want to go?

Discussion Questions
1. Does this work as an ongoing conversation for you? Is the love portrayed here believable? Why or why not?
2. What do you feel about the role of friends in relationships? Should you listen to your friends?
3. Gemma says ‘Bradley, my love for you is like a fire that can never be put out. It will burn forever. I will love you always and no one can stop me. We were born to be together.’ Do you agree with her? Do you believe in forever love?
4. This is based on a book in the Bible – why would a book like this be in the Bible, in your opinion?
5. Some say it is meant to convey the love between God and his people. What could this exchange teach us about the love of God for humanity?

What would you say to Bradley and Gemma if you got the chance? Write your own Facebook message to them outlining any advice you may have for them.