Almitra Then he said, Speak to us of Love.
And he lifted it and stared at the people on it fell and a great calm. And with a firm voice said:
When the 'love calls you, follow him.
Though his ways are hard and steep.
and when his wings enfold you yield to him. Although
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. Since
love as crowns you so shall he crucify you. And as there is for your growth so pruning.
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 unto himself.
you beat until you naked.
sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
I worked as a pastry until you are compliant.
And he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's table in
All these things you love, that ye may know the secrets of your heart and in that knowledge become a fragment of the heart of life.
But if in your fear you would seek only peace and pleasure,
Then it is better for you cover your nakedness and pass out of love,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love is not nothing but from itself and does not draw it by himself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can love, because if it believes he is worthy to guide you.
Love does not want that to happen.
But if you love and you must needs have desires, your wishes have to be these:
melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
know the pain of too much tenderness.
be wounded by your own understanding of love,
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
rest at the noon hour and meditate of love, gratitude
return home at eventide;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
And he lifted it and stared at the people on it fell and a great calm. And with a firm voice said:
When the 'love calls you, follow him.
Though his ways are hard and steep.
and when his wings enfold you yield to him. Although
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. Since
love as crowns you so shall he crucify you. And as there is for your growth so pruning.
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 unto himself.
you beat until you naked.
sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
I worked as a pastry until you are compliant.
And he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's table in
All these things you love, that ye may know the secrets of your heart and in that knowledge become a fragment of the heart of life.
But if in your fear you would seek only peace and pleasure,
Then it is better for you cover your nakedness and pass out of love,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love is not nothing but from itself and does not draw it by himself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can love, because if it believes he is worthy to guide you.
Love does not want that to happen.
But if you love and you must needs have desires, your wishes have to be these:
melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
know the pain of too much tenderness.
be wounded by your own understanding of love,
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
rest at the noon hour and meditate of love, gratitude
return home at eventide;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
