Songs of Solomon 8:6

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
a most vehement flame.

A song, a poem, a verse--a mantra almost.

It hangs boldly above my bed
watching over my sleep through the night.
Beautiful words, pleasing to the eye
but I never asked how, I never asked why
and perhaps, never set seal upon my heart
until today.
I could not understand it, those potent words
arm. love. death. jealousy. grave. fire

Set me as a seal upon your heart....
His heart, the core, Him. My name upon His, His name upon mine. No height nor depth, nor memory nor guilt, demons or angels could ever change that.

a seal upon your arm....
Love to the point of slavery. Branded with fire upon the arm.

For love is as strong as death....
I deserved the punishment. It would mean I could not see Him forever. He could not bear the thought and stretched His arms- He would rather die. But now, all I can thank Him with is my life.

jealousy as cruel as the grave....
A dark grey day. A hill with 3 crosses. Via Dolorosa is a long and difficult road. It takes your life, just like it took His. It's either all or none.

It's flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame...
It is warmth to a a cold lonely traveller. It burns impurities for the goldsmith. To early humans, and now still, it gives life.

It is passion. It is hope. It is necessary. It is powerful.
It is dangerous.
Love-
Suddenly...I understand it all.