This passage from Joyce Carol Oates' "Beautiful Days" explores the unpredictable nature of love. It suggests that love is an involuntary emotion that can grow or diminish unexpectedly. The reference to looking another way implies that love can manifest when least anticipated, highlighting its mysterious and organic qualities.

The imagery of feeling something on the back of one's neck serves as a metaphor for love's often unsettling presence. Initially dismissed as insignificant, it turns out to be something startling, much like love, which can surge unexpectedly and disrupt one's life. This analogy emphasizes the complexity of love, suggesting that it can create both a sense of wonder and instances of discomfort.