The founding principle of existence is
What we call Love—which works itself out
Sometimes not clearly, not cleanly,
Not immediately, nonetheless Ineluctably.²
Love is a Fruit, in season at all times and within the reach
Of every hand—anyone may gather it and no limit is set.³
Love recognizes no barriers: it jumps hurdles,
Leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive
At its destination of Hope.⁴
Look at my Face—Dark as the night—
Yet shining like the Sun with love’s true Light.⁵
The Love that asks no questions, the love that stands
The Test, that lays upon the altar the Dearest and the Best—
The love that never falters, the love that pays the Price,
The love that makes undaunted the Final Sacrifice.⁶
Be Loved—and be Love!⁷
Love moves the Sun & other stars.⁸
Love is not consolation: it is Light!⁹
And in the end the Love you take
Is equal to the Love you make.¹⁰
¹ Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Reward of Service
² Yann Martel, Life of Pi
³ Mother Teresa, Her Essential Wisdom
⁴ Maya Angelou
⁵ Langston Hughes, The Negro Mother
⁶ Cecil Spring Rice, I Vow to Thee My Country
⁷ Bob Marley, Could You Be Loved
⁸ Dante Alighieri, Paradiso
⁹ Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace
¹⁰ Paul McCartney & John Lennon, The End