Love is the River of Life

Today, on the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, I finish my book of poems for this year, titled, A River of Grace. Finishing another book, is always a great feeling of accomplishment.

There were so many people to acknowledge and recognize, but the book is dedicated to God and Guru, for as a dear friend often says, what else is there?

I share the last entry of the book, titled, "Love is the River of Life."

“Love is,

the river of life

in the world.”

So wrote Henry Ward Beecher

“Lord, make me an instrument

of your peace.

Where there is hatred,

let me sow love.”

So taught Francis of Assisi

“Love is all there is;

Love is all there is…”

So sang a friend of mine once…

“Would you know the Lord’s

meaning? Know it well...

Love is his meaning.

Who showed it to you?

Love.

”What did he show you?

Love.

Why did he show it?

For Love…”

So instructed Julian of Norwich

I drink in the nectar

of such sage words—

inked and penned and spoken

throughout centuries

and so many more phrases,

and morsels and expressions

dance inside my soul,

captivating my memories

and senses…

I have stepped onto the shore

of the other side

of the river of my life,

with Rumi in my heart:

“Inside this new Love, die.

Your way begins

on the other side.

Become the sky.”

I step onto a new shore,

Brought there safely,

in the embrace of the Divine,

who showed me how

to navigate and cross,

this river of grace.