The birth and death of leaves is part of that greater cycle that moves among the stars.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain but for the heart to conquer it. Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield but to my own strength. Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved but hope for the patience to win my freedom. Grant me that I may not be a coward, feeling your mercy in my success alone; but let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

Yes, all my illusions will burn into illumination of joy, and all my desires ripen into fruits of love.

Love's over brimming mystery joins death and life. It has filled my cup of pain with joy.

Ah, thou hast made my heart captive in the endless meshes of thy music, my master!

The force of arms only reveals man s weakness.

The world puts off its mask of vastness to its lover. It becomes small as one song, as one kiss of the eternal.