Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.
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 braches that quiver in the sun , so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
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 al of your tears.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night;
To know the pain of too much tenderness;
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfuly;
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 home 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.
