Let your love be warm and generous
because whosoever loves much performs
much and can accomplish much and know
what is done in love is done well and to
me there is nothing more truly artistic
than to love people.

I have nature and art and poetry, and if
that is not enough, what is enough and
a great fire burns within me, but no one
stops to warm themselves at it and passers
by only see a wisp of smoke but to judge
another is to become blind and delay
your own passage.

Normality is a paved road: it is comfortable
to walk, but no flowers grow on it and I try
more and more to be myself, caring relatively
little whether people approve or disapprove.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty
everywhere and to suffer without complaint
is the only lesson we have to learn in this life
and it is such a pity that as one gradually gains
experience, one loses one's youth.

Do not try relentlessly to understand because
time itself will decide and do not be sad, your
joy will come when it is time, and remember
to not love easily but well.
                                                                   Jon York   2016