a poem

Drop, droop, fall
My heart at the sight of my love.
Yes, I falter: my soul sags at the sight of her downtrodden face.
How many moments of pain are gathered in those cutting, clear eyes?

How many are my fault?

Dip, drop, soar!
My stomach thrills for my love.
I see her shining face,
My soul sings
Nor would I stop it singing.

Forgiven me,
Has the Rose,
For every crushed petal,
For my footprint on her stem.

"Don't leave me, love!"
 I cried, in desperation.
Immediately, she shushed me:

"I never will, my love."

The grace of God shining throug a frail and beaten flower,
A precious and wounded soul.

Father in heaven,

Keep me alert and yearning
For this wonder, this child, this woman you gave me.
Dazzle me with her remote and extravagant otherness.
Bind our bodies and hearts.
May I learn to worship you by loving her.
May Christ love her through me.
Rescue me from the desire to harness, bridle, and control her.
Keep me celebrating that I can never fully grasp the mystery that she is.
May she dance and suffer,
Falter and worship,
Only under your wings
Of mercy.

Make us one.
May our love ever grow More and more extravagant

Even through our selfish moments
And all the devil's snares.

I'm holding you to it, God. I'm praying:
Do what you have promised.

"Then one of the seraphs [burning ones] flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin purged.'"
Isaiah 6:6-7