(inspired by 1. Cor:13)
Without love, the words I speak,
Though school’d in letters, will be weak:
And though I say them loud and long,
Without love, I’m but a noisy gong.
Without love, the goods I share,
Are nothing worth, though costing dear:
My gift of life would pointless be,
Without the love that sets us free.
Without love, in chains I’m bound,
No mingled hope and faith abound:
I nothing am, my deeds unblessed
Motivated by self-centredness.
For love is patient, love is kind,
Love to envy has no mind:
Love is modest, love is chaste,
Love is always in good taste.
Love the evil thing eschews,
Love in truth, finds all its views:
Love is strong in its belief
Love, of all things, is the chief.
He who is Love, bids us forgive,
Seventy times seven: let others live:
He who is Love, shows us the way
To conquer self from day to day.
Yes, God in love, sent us His Son,
Christ, in His Love, our vict’ry won:
So may we all unselfish be
Through Him: He loves eternally.
Caroline Fairbarn
1982.