all these insane borders we protect

A woman's body, like the earth, has seasons;

when the mountain stream flows,

when the holy thaws,

when I am most fragile and in need,

it was then, it seemed,

God came closest.

God, like a medic on a field, is tending our souls.

Our horns get locked with desires, but don't hold yourself

too accountable; for all desires are really innocent. 

That is what the compassion in His eyes tell me.

Why this great war between the countries -- the countries --

inside of us?

What are all these insane borders we protect?

What are all these different names for the same church of love

we kneel in together? For it is true, together we live; and only

at that shrine where all are welcome will God sing

loud enough to be heard.

Our horns got locked with the earth and sky in some odd

marriage ritual; so what, don't worry. We should be proud of

ourselves for everything we helped create in this

magic world.

And God is always there, if you feel wounded. He kneels

over this earth like a divine medic,

and His love thaws the holy in us.

~ St. Teresa of Avila

from Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West

version by Daniel Ladinsky
art by Steve Shinn