Union.

Ache, loneliness—
without helper, without mate.

Laid to rest in eternal sleep,
not death but waiting.
The old passing,
the new, not yet.
Yesterday’s self a sacrifice
for something better.

Life is in the blood,
and blood would be spilled;
a wounded side,
a body opened,
a bride formed,
a people made.

Loss before fullness.
Cost before glory.
Union born of yielding.

Rise. Awake.
At last. At last!

She is mine,
and she is Yours.
Above all, Yours.

She stands—
radiant life answering life.
Given, not taken.
Received, not owned,

His authority,
not to dominate,
but to descend.
To lead by bearing.
To love by laying down.

Here is the mystery:
two made one,
not by grasping,
but by surrender.

In them, we were.

Union.