Poem April 26, 1999 Issue

The precious promise

Beulah M. Roegge

No matter how shallow human affection,
or foul the hidden iron fist in a glove,
there hovers over every hour
the command and power to love.

The beloved behest—"Thou shalt love"—
is fulfilled in two exact steps:
First, love your God above all else,
then love your neighbor as yourself.
These demands confirm Love's
everlasting flow,
for Christ could not command what God
would not bestow.

So, Love's plenty fills the empty
heart and soul and mind, until we find
adoration for our creator.
Then with a love that is wonderfully similar
we see with new eyes the familiar
and heal ourselves and our neighbor.

Such is the precious promise of
the two great commandments to love.

Beulah M. Roegge

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