L-O-V-E in the Crossword (second edit)

[billy]

it's works but i'm not sure the first line does. maybe make the first line the title or something like "love in a cross word" just a suggestion. have a play about with the line breaks see if you can make what you have be better laid down. an example:

That spouse is mate,
a pal or wife but not lover,
a five-letter word for

paramour, which is an eight-letter word
for “other woman”.

there area couple of words you could lose such as [which is] but again it's just a suggestion.
thanks for the read

What I know of love I’ve learned in crosswords:

That spouse is mate, a pal or wife
but not lover, a five-letter word
for paramour, which is an eight-letter word
for “other woman”.

That beginning is a rise or dawning is is needed when a comma world do?
and burden onus or encumbrance; no need for and
to split is to tear or to rupture, causing to break
forcibly into parts.

That sad may be blue or bittersweet
but not bleak, black or barren, i like the [b's]
that alone can mean lonely or rejected, but also
unique or unequalled.

That time can be an hour or an era
and spirit both ghost and moxie,
selfless action is illusion not altruism, this line isn't needed
ache both hurt and desire. i'd suggest making this line the penultimate and come up with a good end line instead of just slamming the door in the readers face.