self-portrait

by David Whyte

It doesn’t interest me if there is one God or many gods.

I want to know if you belong — or feel abandoned.

If you know despair

or can see it in others.

I want to know

if you are prepared to live in the world

with its harsh need to change you;

If you can look back with firm eyes

saying “this is where I stand.”

I want to know if you know how to melt

into that fierce heat of living

falling toward the center of your longing.

I want to know if you are willing

to live day by day

with the consequence of love

and the bitter unwanted passion

of your sure defeat.

I have been told

in that fierce embrace

even the gods

speak of God.

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