What is this love?

What is this love? Just this we know 
that love transcends all pomp and show, 
that love exists, above below, 
love was and is and is to be, 
by grace we are both loved and free.


What is this love? It precedes life, 
it overcomes all dark and strife, 
love is the Spirit’s keenest knife,
pure love has brightness in its eyes, 
yet breathes forever, never dies.


Love is the interface of change, 
no difference rests beyond its range, 
its nature gracious, other, strange, 
it holds birth, death and all between, 
here all is safe: both hidden, seen.


Love is the point where hell is breached, 
where joy is glimpsed and heaven reached,
the outcasts find they’re unimpeached,
on this wide earth the lost are found 
for love is safe, is solid ground.

Andrew Pratt 17/4/2022