The Work

by Allen Grossman

A great light is the man who knows the woman he loves

A great light is the woman who knows the man she loves

And carries the light into room after room arousing
The sleepers and looking hard into the face of each
And then sends them asleep again with a kiss
Or a whole night of love

                                and goes on and on until
The man and woman who carry the great lights of the
Knowledge of the one lover enter the room

                                        toward which
Their light is sent and fit the one and the other torch
In a high candelabrum and there is such light
That children leap up

                            unless the sea swallow them
In the crossing or hatred or war against do not
Pray only but be vigilant and set your hand to the work.