How Do I Love You?

 How do I love you? 

When my soul screams communion

But my flesh desires worldly union. 

This flesh defects

And my soul it affects. 

How do I love you? 

If daily my heart Is torn-

Which? The world or You? 

I'd rapidly choose the world's scorn

And stay immersed in you, true. 

But my flesh is weak

And mundane things it seeks. 

None with eternal value

All manmade, fickle, untrue. 

How do I love you? 

When I'm thrown off the path time and again, 

Forgetting you're my only gain. 

In a world filled with grief

And totally lacking reprieve, 

You alone offer relief. 

How do I love you? 

If knowing you alone give

I ask from those who mock, 

forgetting to sieve the lies they concoct. 

Thus failing to daily move

And live by Your conduct. 

How do I love you? 

When my flesh is a thorn

And fading things it mourns. 

Why am I so torn

When the world hurts at every turn? 

Would that you'd strip me bare! 

Tear off this flesh! 

Let sin not dare! 

For with you I long to mesh. 

How do I love you? 

By keeping your statutes. 

Scowling at immoral pursuits. 

Daily walking in intimacy. 

And living solely by your mercy. 

Your grace is sufficient. 

Presence, efficient. 

Power, omnipotent. 

Mercy, ever present.