Anthony W. Pahl

SELF MOTIVE

I am kind to me, by that which I give to you
and receive when thus I give without want.
Deceive thee? Not lest I myself am deceived
by your response to my gifts freely given.

For I receive joy and peace by my gifts
freely given with no formed or solid statement.
As when you give to me, I shall indicate, by love,
the gift of grace unto you.

Such love is a stream twixt like emotions;
exiting in forms ethereal;
and surely tis better felt, that love,
than to sense nothing in response.

And laws of man are for love, neither for gain
nor fear of punishment: for sin is against God
though the act is against man. Do I not reap
that which I am prepared to sow in Love or Hate?

Without thought of reward, Mercy is nothing –
For that which is given and has no value is no gift,
but a riddance of a thing that is not required
and a sufferance of something not admired.