At the Journal, we turn often to the gifts of David Whyte for the wisdom and art he brings. His writing defines both the challenge of life and the high strength we seek to meet that challenge as we encounter "that fierce embrace" with ourselves.
Thanks to a reader for bringing this particular poem of Whyte's to my attention.
Self Portrait
It doesn't interest me if there is one God
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.
I have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.
David Whyte
from Fire
in the Earth
©1992 Many Rivers Press
Journal of Sacred Work 
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