20 June 1961

Today I turn 45, and only You know what a journey it has been.
I dedicate this poem to You Master, with a heart full of thankfulness.

O Deus, ego amo te

O God, I love thee, I love thee ---
Not out of hope of heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
In the everlasting burning.
Thou, thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach thine arms out dying,
For my sake sufferdst nails and lance,
Mocked and marrèd countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death, and this for me,
And thou couldst see me sinning:
Then I, why should not I love thee,
Jesus so much in love with me?
Not for heaven's sake; not to be
Out of hell by loving thee;
Not for any gains I see;
But just the way that thou didst me
I do love and I will love thee:
What must I love thee, Lord, for then? ---
For being my king and God. Amen.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)