Truth and Love (1 Peter 1:22-23)

1

Truth buds love and
love buds truth.

Love roots truth and
truth roots love.
 

2

Truth manifesting itself is
like root exhibiting itself in the air;
it will wither.

Love revealing itself is
like root presenting itself in the air;
it will fall.

Truth and love to abide inside are to be buried,
and let the bud shoot out.
 

3

Love coming out of anything but truth is
like a tree cut down and rootless;
it will wither.

Truth originating from anything but love is
like a flower picked out and rootless;
it will wither, too.

Love revealing truth ought to embrace
the root first beneath the earth.
 

4

Love to be done but buried is
like a buried stem;
it will rot.

Truth to be done but not testified nor done is
like a buried stem;
it will rot, too.
 

5

Truth burning out of love bears fruit
like a varicolored tunic.

Love coming out as horn of truth melts the creation
like in mighty, blue heat.
 

July 23, 1958