from The Prophet

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

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 joyfully.

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.

KHALIL GIBRAN (1883-1931)