battered heart

"Batter my heart, three personed God; for You

As yet but knock, breathe, shine and seek to mend.

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me and bend

Your force, to break, blow, burn and make me new,

I, like an usurped town, to another due,

Labor to admit You, but oh, to no end;

Reason, Your viceroy in me, me should defend;

But is captive and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love You and would be loved fain;

But am betrothed unto Your enemy;

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,

Take me to You, imprison me, for I,

Except You enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste except You ravish me."

[john donne]