A Love-Note

Jaihoon’s poem explores love as a source of joy and ponders its place in the face of ultimate judgement.

I have heard,
From the learned,
For every joy,
Shall we account.

We would be asked:
Comforts we relaxed in.

Greater its prize,
Severe be its quiz.

Merchant be asked:
Goods he amassed.

Scholar to explain:
Use of wisdom gained.

King to give count:
Power he was bound by.

Warrior to give reason:
For his sword’s treason.

Gardener to narrate why:
Roses which turned dry.

O my heart-caged love!

I too about your love be grilled,
If to Him gratitude I spelled.

Your love, most precious,
No other dish, so delicious.

This life, too less,
My love, to you confess.

Since I drank
From your river,
Healed I am
Of my solitary fever.

O my heart-caged love!

Love too is a part of worship-
This love-note, holy, not gossip.

Aug 08 2011. Edit March 2024