Love possesses nothing and does not want to be possessed,

because it is enough in itself.

It will make you grow, and then throw you on the ground.

It will whip you so that you feel your impotence,

it will shake you to rid you of all your impurities.

It will crush you to leave you flexible.

And then it will toss you in the fire

so that you can become the blessed bread

to be served at God’s sacred feast


(The Prophet, by Khalil Gibran [1883-1931])