The Joy that Wounds

I knew that God well when love flashed before me.

It gives me strength by night and day, and show what lies ahead.

In me are flames, in me is fuel, in me is smoke.

I only found my Beloved, when love made me aware.

you are drop, and the ocean.

you are kindness, you are anger,

you are sweetness, you are poison.

raw you are, and cooked too you are,

oh, do not leave me quite so raw.

without hope i cannot cope.

where do you come from? and from where do man's joy and sorrow begin?

oh you, straying heart, just come!

oh you, aching liver, just come!

Oh love, the joy that wounds!