Crush my heart, God of the Trinity,
you have been knocking, caressing, warming with breath,
so that I would rise and stand, now crush me and burn,
grind, turn upside down, so that I may emerge different
from my self, from this rebellious ruin,
may I serve you without knowing the end!
My reason, however, your treacherous viceroy,
fails in captivity, schemes.
I want to be loved, if I say "I love you",
but your rival does not cease to plot betrayal.
Save me, redeem me, sever the knots, the nets,
I long only for your dungeons and chains.
I will know freedom only when I accept your cross,
and I will be pure only when you violate me.
(John Donne /1572–1631/, sonnet XIV
translated by Josef Hrdlička)
