(Mother)

“But not
to love,
who had
no thought
but love,
begot
of love?
It’s sad.”

(Holly)

“That I
who have
a heart
laid by
should salve
my smart
alone
and die
two ways
unknown?”

This high
I raise
my goal:
to hate
my life.
My soul
will mate
with strife.

And still
when all
is said,
I choose
so fine
a pain!
To lose
all mine
and gain
my fill
of All
instead!”

(Mother)

“But when
you’ve done
all this,
your All
may still
include
the men -
The One;
The Kiss;
the fall;
the thrill -
God’s good.”