Ah, love, a seed that touches deep within the heart.
Pure compassion, what carries the hope abroad.

Ah, love, a sprout that starts with truth.
Boldness, what starts the word of faith.

Ah, love, the root of satisfaction.
Thirst, what drives the root deeper.

Ah, love, a shelter in the storms.
Integrity, what sheilds against the weather.

Ah, love, a fruitless branch cut off & burned.
Self-control, what restrains waste for gains in taste.

Ah, love, a branch that climbs the neighbor's walls.
Generosity, what spreads beyond the borders.

Ah, love, a tree sourced in living streams.
Faithfulness, what endures the changing seasons.

Ah, love, a drifting cloud in the heat of summer.
Gentleness, what keeps our lives sustained.

Ah, love, a steady rain in the midst of summer.
Kindness, what strengthens ailing hearts.

Ah, love, the leaf of restful work.
Patience, what lasts through the seasons.

Ah, love, the tree that carries on.
Peace, what holds amidsts the winds.

Ah, love, the fruit of life.
Joy, what tastes the life of God!

Ah, love, the root of satisfaction.
Love, what drives the root deeper still.

<+><
The above poem was written in response to a friend who said that he was finding his work progressing well as he spent time with family ... and a new granddaughter. He replied:

"Those are beautiful lines, Mert. Our little baby angel granddaughter clearly is spreading love, deep within our hearts and into neighbors' yards." - Wayne Leman <wayne_leman@sil.org>