Jew #14
Like cheap market cloth in dirt-stained cheap hands
Love's been abused, narrowly defined, broken
Like a cistern into selfish small strands
Until its only a silly token
Of our greed. But I see God image still
In you, a high and vaulted beauty bright
Like Judean star top a quiet hill
And I drink the inner peace of your light
And let your wisdom teach my anxious soul
To trust, and patience in they realm of joy
Improves my faith, frees me of dross alloy
And stand me before the ancient promise gold
Jew, you are ever love to me, my eyes
Await you like tides wait the moon to rise.
ii
O that God dilate the heart of men like dreams
That bring them face to face with fantasies
They mistake for love. O that sense redeems
Them from their faults and inaccuracies
By which they compare my truth to their claims
And cheapen my passion with fleshly needs
For my love all worth of cold earth exceeds
And she who claims it above mortal flames
Another sun that galaxies do chase
Without satisfaction of her embrace
For we created once, redeemed again
Incubate forever his image new
Become the purpose for sunshine and rain
Sacred vessels among the chosen few
iii
So gift from God I exalt you above
The sun, the moon, the stars as my true love
We sensible beyond skin and flesh proclaim
A richer treasure in our clay carved frame
The place from which all joy exults, the core
Of songs eternity. I love you more
Than palace troves of wealth, more than sweet time
Seducing still my heart, and your smiles chime
The hours of my happiness, the tower
Of my care. And yet, you but a flower,
Sweeter than a silly girl's tear, you are
The jewel of my heart's garden, my dear
Rare in earth's botany, fresher by far
For youth in you cannot the seasons sear.
iv
Love is the blending of our two hearts, when
You are rose then I am soil, feeding you
The substance of my heart. If a song, then
I am every sweet note that rapture you
And if only human, then, Adam again
I yield myself, and rib, and all I am
Even against your wrong I be your lamb
For to be so our life is long ordain ...
Kiss me then like wild comet's fire, I will
Supply your breath like atmosphere. Hold me
Close in the tide of your desire, and still
We will move to life sweetest symphony
For we are blended, love, like salt and sea
And find in each love's true identity
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