The only thing that’s perfect in this world
Is love, shower your mercies down on us.
Only to the truly vulnerable
And sensitive one does the muse come.
Only to those of gentle heart, and they
Are one, does the god of love come.
Between the expectation and conclusion
Lies creation in all its manifold grace,
In all its unexpected conclusiveness,
For those sensitive enough to know.
In the desert wilderness of the soul
The law that’s written on our hearts is learnt,
That keeps our gaze fixed upon the light
Of grace, the muse of a creative life.
Everything is perfect to the heart
That loves, even sin, which is allowed
So that a greater good may come of it,
Repentance, and returning to the real.
The only thing that’s perfect in this world
Is love, shower your mercies down on us.
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There is virtue in Mr. Thornton-Norris’ lines above, but I question the merit as a poem, as opposed to a prayer. Is the above perhaps not more akin to prayer. This is also begs the question, what is the difference, what is the function of each one?
It could be argued that a poem and prayer are interchangeable, but ultimately, it seems like there is a difference, and there exist two different words to distinguish the two.