Love your enemy (Joy Cowley)

I heard him say, Love your enemy

And I thought, well, I did.

Sort of. At a distance.

As long as I didn't have to talk to her

or share the same room for any time.

It wasn't that I hated her.

It was just a matter of principle.

I had to let her know

that I didn't approve.

But he kept saying, Love your enemy.

Over and over, Love your enemy.

And I thought, well, maybe

a bit closer wouldn't hurt.

A telephone call. Good morning.

Some questions of polite interest.

No need to compromise principles.

He still kept saying it.

Love your enemy. Love your enemy.

So in the end, I had to go the whole hog.

Suddenly, there we were, talking about feelings,

laughing and crying and hugging each other.

And I was healed of the wound I'd given myself

with my judgmental attitudes.

So the next time he said, Love your enemy,

I knew clearly what he meant.

My real enemy

is self.

And I need all the love and forgiveness

I can get.