Love's Lesson

 By Cecilia Legister

I had time and some money to spare so I asked life for a lesson in Love

But life knocked me down then forced me to look to my source from up above

And for a time I sat in the dirt - the wind blowing light dark melodies through my head

From the dust which I came I was forced to crawl back, a rocky prop the bed

There Love peered through the virulent dark at sad smiles captured still

My flesh did battle with pithy nature my soul a duel with Love’s will

Looking above the folly I called zeal Love saw something deeper than skin

Resolved Love was to prove Himself and I fixed on ego to win

Wearing nothing but candour Love began to uncover my nakedness

He dug from my soul spurious invaders woven into a web of wretchedness

Then came one mighty death blow to pride and enemy stares grew brighter

Yet ignorant I stood for a while that Love had stripped me loads lighter

But as mockers feasted unwittingly on the gift Love made of the wear

I built a temple from the stones I slept on – from the wind that blew through my hair

And now, only now I know - though I still cannot comprehend all -

Whose spirit it is that had then spoken through the Apostle Paul

Said he: if you even charm with mysteries in angelic tones and Love sits in the streets

You are in no way better than noisy instruments pounded by heartless beats  

And even if you’ve hiked a million highways looking for hungry mouths to feed

And finding them you  give your all planting your goodwill seed

Your mind and body burning passionately with a zeal you think greater than Love

It is a thing of naught, it is earthly it comes not from above

Love knows endurance, suffering much and suffering long, wanting nothing of His own

Showing off nothing and behaving only as Love has shown

No evil can provoke Love, no selfish desire can trap Love, Love only rejoices in things from above

Bearing, believing, enduring and hoping all things is the greatest - Love