This poem by David Whyte inspired me to create a maze of silk paintings that repeat and illustrate the themes of this poem.

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Self Portrait by David Whyte

 

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 can know despair or see it in others

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

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.