TO LOVE
by
Jack Forge

seek royalty
beatific
as a golden soul
ascendant
to the image
of paradise

waste no will
upon mask
raiment
word,
ignore a coldeye,
commit to beauty

trust only the deeds
of a noble soul--
not the singer
but the magic of song
makes us blessed

we are saved
not by the color of the apple
but the integrity of its core
even to the sweetness of seed
adamant within the earth

love nobility of spirit
then virtue
will be your wine
art your bread
and life your song