All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and to that

knowledge become a fragment of life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace love's pleasure.

Then it is better for you that you cover your

nakedness and pass out of love's threshing floor.

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love has no other desir 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 deditate love's ecstasy;

to return home at even tide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in

your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

by Khalil Gibran