To Love

To love is to desire

the greatest good

for the loved one—

and to be willing to

spend a lifetime seeking it.

This is what it means

to “love” family, friends,

the earth, the whole of life

—even our “enemies”—

but most of all, ourselves.

We must embrace the flame,

let it lick through us—

healing the broken bits,

weaknesses

shadowed places...

For if we do not love

—and heal—ourselves,

if we are not consumed,

transformed in the process,

we can love and heal no one.

Love, you see, is a wreath of fire,

a conflagration within us

ignited by the Great Arsonist

who sparks the ember,

but leaves the tending to us.

Love flares—or fades—

with each breath we take,

each thought we think

each act of selflessness

each reaching out...

We live in that joyful glow...

or we live in lonely darkness.

The choice is ours.

Ah, yes, the choice is always ours.

Endangered Species