All that a heart has to hold

                so many questions unanswered

                so many cycles and seasons

                 each with its stories untold

All that a heart has to hold

                all that its border encloses

                deep in its chambers protect

                our names and our colors and countries

The endless procession,

                the births and the dying

                 the loving and knowing,    

                 and all the letting go . . .

How do I hold all that a heart is meant to hold?

Hold me now, O Love,

                gentle in the knowing

You are not alone

                 in the holding of your heart

And so we find

                that it’s not too much to hold

                not too much to see

In every gift of loving part of our story is told

It’s not too much to bear

                though the weight is often heavy

We are held within this longing by deep Love that holds us all…

Sing your heart’s desire,

                sigh your sorrows deep

Tell your own true stories each day…

Pray a deeper prayer,

                bring all that lies deep within your eyes

                all your praises and your longing

                and restore your untamed heart in this deep unending Love…

by Craig Hella Johnson