Until We Love Each Other More...

 From Robert Lee Brewer @ Writer's Digest...

Tomorrow is the final day of this challenge, but remember:

This challenge ain't over until it's over, so...

For today's prompt, take the phrase "Until (blank),"

replace the blank with a new word or phrase,

make the new phrase the title of your poem,

and then, write your poem.

It's easy to love the 'easy to love'.

But, not everyone or everything is

easy to love, in turn, turning life into a

big lesson-book!

Until we love each other more and cling to grudges less

And take care never to ignore or neglect promises

Until we gently contemplate our words before we speak

And rather than retaliate, we turn the other cheek

Until no envy-twinges sting when others steal the show

That we worked very hard to bring about. Until we sow

Aware that we will reap. Until the onus of return

Impacts the seeds we spill; it seems we still have much to learn

Until we live to give all that we can to life’s demands

With empathy for fellowman, with open hearts and hands

Until we pray more than we do and fret a little less

And weigh the wants that we pursue for more than happiness

Until we kindly reverence the Giver of our days

Mindful of worship’s Recompense by what our actions praise

Until we do not slight or spurn the things that God esteems

We still have so much yet to learn, of hopes and plans and dreams

Until we have mastered the art of humble gratefulness

Until we are purer in heart and start to grumble less

Until we smile more than we pout/shout and befriend more than feud

And walk a second mile without reluctant attitude

Until we cherish what we have while it is within reach

And, unafraid of mistakes, brave the lessons life must teach

Until kindness does not keep score or wait for its return

Until we love each other more, we still have much to learn

Until we want for others, more than we want for ourselves

Until no secret cupboards groan with miser’s laden shelves

Until love has nothing to hide, each motive boldly bared

Until longing is satisfied because blessing is shared

Until we realize that joy is the flipside of grief

Until the pursuits we employ are rooted in Belief

Until we recognize Dawn’s Door is hinged to Twilight’s Urn

And start to love each other more, we still have much to learn

© Janet Martin

John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: 

Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

John 15:17
This is My command to you: Love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love.

 For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. 

Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law