Day 5

LOVE (III)

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack'd anything.

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";
Love said, "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee."
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
"Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"
"My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.

- George Herbert

- - -

End of Day Poem

…give your voice for understanding.

- Proverbs 2:3

Dumb and slack jawed

I wait for the day’s noise

To slip soundlessly from my teeth

Let the water wash the racket

To the swallowing drain below

Warm silence wells

Pools in the open

Waiting and speechless

Stayed muscle

And the overflow

(Tepid rivers

with their sediment)

Speak your own verse

Into this tired sea

Trace your fingers on its surface

Tell its quiet tide your name

- tony