“Poetry reflects on the quality of life, on us as we are in process on this earth, in our lives, in our relationships, in our communities.”~Adrienne RIch

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

Whoa, talk about manipulative bitterness! The entire poem, and the one from earlier this week, both remind me of House, a TV show that Artiste Daughter and I were watching just this evening. One of the themes of this season on House has been the balance between honesty/self-acceptance and kindness/love. Dr. House harbors bitterness and pain, and when he tries to become a more loving and giving person, he’s still manipulative. He gives gifts in hopes that “karma” will bring the good back to him.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Impossible? Yes, absolutely. Blake knew it. You know it. And I do, too. On our own, we all produce poison trees of wrath full of poisonous apples for those we consider our enemies. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.”