Who brought me to this vale
where I travel or travail?
Who said be, and a valley
appeared below to tempt me?
Lover, I notice you are weeping
as if through a heavy veil.
Why not take off your dark shawl
and reveal the real beauty of tears,
of joy seduced by sorrow?
Did you expect me to repress my joy
because you’ve expressed your sorrow?
Take me in your arms,
and together we can unite joy and sorrow.
Who fought me when I was still
and praised me as I began to struggle?
Who said do, when I could not be,
and do more, when I had no more left?
Lover, I notice you are laughing
as if through a light veil.
Why not take off your bright shawl
and reveal the real beauty of laughter,
of sorrow seduced by joy?
Did you expect me to repress my sorrow
because you’ve expressed your joy?
Take me in your arms,
and together we can unite joy and sorrow.
Who sought me when I was soft
and left me as I began to harden?
Who said die, when I could not hear,
and live, when I began to pay attention.
Lover, I notice you are,
but I have no words for what you are.
For what you are, I can only yearn.
I yearn to live with your love
in this unknown place
that has come between
before and after.
Brian Leibold 
I love the stanza that begins, “Did you expect me to repress my joy…”
And vice versa. Like the idea of joy and sorrow co-existing, providing balance and insight.
Thanks for reading, Patty. I like that idea as well, not least because it’s not mine. I have not learned how to live in that unity except at rare moments, but I do feel confident that the balance exists, when all the veils are taken off, and all that’s left is the naked embrace.