Our next-door neighbor has a butterfly

sanctuary in her backyard,

where monarchs come to lay their eggs

and caterpillars munch their way

to transformation inside the chrysalis.

In the butterfly soup of their true being,

they follow a code written within

to emerge and unfold quivering wings.

 

Milkweed seeds float on the breeze,

coming to rest on a bed of earth.

From the seed buried, dying, and breaking open,

the green blade of new life rises.

Following the inner code of life,

the plant expands to host

the egg, the caterpillar, and the chrysalis.

Through its leaves ingested, the milkweed

shares interbeing with the monarch.

 

Just so, the code of God’s love

is written on our hearts.

Just as the buried seed or egg breaks open—

the seedling drinking light,

the larva munching milkweed—

the ego consumes and seeks safety.

 

Yet the promise within calls us to risk,

to form the chrysalis of community,

to split open and rest in the soup of God’s love,

transforming into children of light,

coming out on bright wings of compassion

to soar on divine love

and shine God’s light of justice into the world.

 

“God’s Love is Written on Our Hearts” may be used with attribution.  Please let the author know at:  tmdatsko@verizon.net

 

Tina Datsko de Sánchez serves as Poet in Residence at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.  She is the author of the bilingual poetry book The Delirium of Simón Bolívar.  Her four-book series of interfaith spiritual poetry inspired by Rumi and Hafiz is being published by The Pilgrim Press.  The first three volumes, Swimming in God , Dancing Through Fire, and Drinking Pure Light, are currently available at:

Her latest book is Singing Fierce Gratitude | Daily Poems of Abundance, Generosity, and Gratitude