A kiss upon each cheek,
A kiss beyond all counting,
A kiss that loosens the body
from its earthly remembering,
A kiss that illuminates
the long road of eternity,
A kiss that longs for Aden,
that ancient garden of return,
And with a kiss,
tomorrow rises
from the ashes of yesterday.
A kiss from the smallest creature
to the sovereign lion,
A kiss upon the outstretched leg,
upon the body surrendered to rest,
A kiss upon the neck,
where breath becomes prayer,
A kiss to the unseen,
whose glory no eye can contain,
A kiss to the horses
bowing their heads to the earth,
A kiss upon the appointed hour,
when all things arrive
at the threshold of their becoming,
A kiss upon time itself—
and then, beyond time,
where nothing ends
and nothing begins,
A kiss of ruby to ruby,
of the beloved to the Beloved,
of the soul touching
the secret heart of God.