The Romance

by carole breslin

You flew through eternity
To be with me here in time.
I knew You not and fled
From the pain of Your love.

You followed and You sought
Me out of every hiding place;
Still I would not let You in
But traveled other senseless roads.

You took on ridicule and condemnation
Upon Your regal self
To win my salvation
For which I did not care.

Still You stumbled along the Way
Weakened by your pursuit of me
While your friends deserted You
In the time of Your folly.

Even the love of Your mother
Did not hold You back from the chase
Yet on You trod, falling
Not once, not twice, but thrice.

Down upon Your knees
In Your perseverance
You laid Your face at my feet
In abject misery.

Not then did I see the love
The deep and pure caring:
By placing the crown
Upon Your pierced brow
You gave me the lovely gift.

For there from Your hands
You gave me Your masterpiece,
The flawless, Immaculate Rose
With no thorn to mar it.

On and on I trod my aimless way
To ignore and, worse, abuse You
As You opened Your arms
And bent Your head to kiss me.

The agony of Your desire
Was there for all to see
But none did turn their heart
To quench the burning thirst.

Unto death You sought me.
Only then did I turn my heart
When I saw Thee after death
Still open Yours to mine.

High, on high I see You
Bathed in ruby glory.
O, my heart is pierced
With love and ecstasy.

With no effort You raise me
Above the cares of earth.
Draw me nigh to You.
Take me, my Beloved!

No longer need You follow.
I give myself forever.
Let me be within Your heart
And hide me in Your wounds.

I place all at Your feet
Complete with imperfections.
Fill my mind with You
Bleed me of my life.

Then take all of me and
Empty all me out.
Give me all of You
Your blood within my veins.

Now hold me up
As I trod the Way You went
Until all is done for You
When my life on earth is spent.