This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
—John 15.12
that is,
with tender attention
and stout resilience,
that is,
despite your blame and fear,
your betrayal yet to come,
your lack of repentance,
as I have loved you
when you were determined
not to deserve it,
that you love as I have,
withholding nothing,
excusing no one,
that you pour yourself out
for the unworthy,
as I have
pour yourself out
of your life
into eternal love
and as I have
rise
new,
perfected
in love.