~Love~

When Love beckons to you, 
follow him.
Though his ways
are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you
  yield to him
Though the sword 
hidden among his pinions 
may wound you

And when he speaks to you 
believe in him
Though his voice 
may shatter your dreams 
as the north wind
lays  waste the garden

For even as Love crowns you 
so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth 
so is he for your pruning

Even as he ascends  to your height
 and caresses your tenderest branches 
that quiver in the sun,
so shall he descend  to your roots 
and shake them  
in their clinging to the earth

Like sheaves of corn 
he gathers you to himself
He threshes you 
to make you naked
He sifts you 
to free you from your husks
He grinds you to whiteness
He kneads you til you are pliant

And then he assigns you 
to his sacred fire, 
that you may become  
sacred bread 
for God's sacred feast

All these things 
shall love do unto you  
that you may know  
the secrets of your heart,
and in that knowledge  
become a fragment 
of Life's heart.

But if in your fear 
you would seek
only  love's peace 
and love's pleasure
Then it is better for you 
that you cover 
your nakedness 
and pass out of
love's threshing floor,
Into the seasonless world 
where you shall laugh, 
but not all of your laughter,
and weep, 
but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught 
but itself 
and takes naught 
but from itself

Loves possesses not 
nor would it be possessed
For love
is sufficient 
unto Love

And think not 
that you can direct 
the course of Love
for Love, 
if it finds you worthy, 
directs your course

Love has no other desire 
but to fulfil itself
But if you love 
and have needs
and desires,  l
et these be your desires

To melt and be 
like a running brook 
that sings in melody 
to the night

To know the pain
 of too much tenderness
To be wounded 
by your own understanding
of love

And to bleed 
joyfully
and willingly

To wake at dawn 
with a winged heart 
and give thanks 
for another day
of loving

To rest at the noon hour  
and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return at eventide  
with gratitude

And then to sleep 
with a prayer for the beloved 
in your heart
and a song of praise upon your lips

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet

return to

~We shall be known by the tracks we leave behind ~