The way is short, but hard.

The path is full of peril.

Anytime Earth could swallow us whole.

 

Whether you travel in a lengthening shadow 

Or in the noon of your days,

Love is the steadfast companion.

 

Love one another.

Love those who do not need your love

Love especially those who do not deserve your love.

 

For the sake of the Christ Child,

For the sake of everyone and everything good,

Love and forgive one another.

 

Even the dogs of Hell

Lie down at the feet of Charity.

 

Brief bio: Flora Higgins, poet, teacher, librarian, works as a research librarian, teaches Classic Literature, and produces poetry programs. Her poems, essays, and literary criticism are published in distinguished journals. Red Bank, USA. 

Journals accepting her work include The Lyric, The Paterson Literary Review, Still Crazy, The Gissing Review. Flora has presented poetry programs in Monmouth County for over a decade, and before that at the Newark Public Library.