know that love has chosen you
to live his crucial purposes.
know that love has chosen you.



and will not pamper you nor spare;
demands obedience to all
the rigorous laws of risk,
does not pamper, will not spare.



oh, master now love's instruments—
complex and not for the fearful,
simple and not for the foolish.
master now love's instruments.



i who love you tell you this,
even as the pitiful killer waits for me,
i who love you tell you this.



- an extract from robert hayden's words in the mourning time