On 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 he hides a sword among them
And when he speaks to you believe in him
Though his voice may shatter your dreams

Love will crown and crucify you
Love for your growth so he is for your pruning
Love will caresses your tenderest branches
And shake every clinging root

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself
He threshes and sifts you he grinds until he kneads you
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
A fragment of Life's heart

Now if in your fear you seek only love's peace and love's pleasure
Better cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor
Into a seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all your laughter
And weep, and weep but not all of your tears

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed
For love is enough

You should say: I am in the heart of God
You cannot direct the course of love
For love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course

To wake at dawn with a winged heart
To come home in the evening with gratitude
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart
And a song of praise on your lips