Of Love and Souls

To skim lightly

Over your skin

With my eyes,

To glance passively

In your direction

Yet not recognize

In full the import

Of precious you

Is like touching

Without feeling

Or sight

Without view

Can I say

‘I love you’

Yet treat nonchalantly

The invisible

That lives for

Eternity?

What are the laws

That you write

On your heart

Or bind ‘round

Your neck

Its wisdom

To impart?

To kiss you and

Hold you and

Never full tell

Of soul-truth

Redemption,

Of Heaven and hell

Is like skimming

Over love

Or smiting

The face

Of He who

IS

Love,

Hope

Goodness and

Grace

© Janet Martin

What are our children writing on their hearts?

And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the posts of your house, and on your gates. …Duet. 6:7-9

My son,  keep your father's commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother: Bind them continually on your heart, and tie them about your neck. When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you wake, it shall talk with you. …Prov. 6:21

My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart: …Prov 3:1-3

My son,  keep my words, and lay up my commandments with you. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers, write them on the table of your heart. …Prov.7:3