John O’Donohue was an Irish poet, philospher, and author. He was also a Catholic priest for a number of years. His writing is credited with helping to popularize Celtic spirituality. O’Donohue was also very involved with environmental activism. He died when he was fifty-two. Now you endeavorto gather yourselfAnd withdraw in slowAnimal woundednessFrom love turned sour and ungentle.When we love, the depth in usThrusts itself forward untilThe empty space betweenBecomes gradually wovenInto an embrace where longingCan close its weary eyes.Love can seldom end clean;For all the tissue is tornAnd each lover turned strangerIs dropped into a ruin of distanceWhere emptiness is young and fierce.Time becomes strange and slipshod;It mixes memories…