Little Way Poem by R.A. Sheldon

Chest heavy

Breath light

Heart empty

(that could have been full—

of a man's adoration,

children's chatter,

an infant's coo)

But is empty.

Chosen so.


(And empty, also, of bitterness) .

Again, and again, emptied day after day

(She labors like Sisyphus)

And empties herself

of anger

and bitterness

and self-desire

and despair

Save the desire of Love.

(which does not come)


Alone in the dark

(calling so many times)

she weeps and cries out

(though her ears strain in silence)

Yet burning still, as a steady candle in a stone-walled room.

Like a candle, burning itself down,

Giving up its being in a flame sent upwards

To fling back the darkness with steady light


She labors on,

Pouring herself out, in measured days

Till at last she is spent.

Herself a libation,

(poured out) .


June,1897, Therese was removed to the infirmary of the convent. On September 30, with the words, 'My God... I love Thee! ' on her lips she died. The day before, her sister Celine, knowing the end was at hand, had asked for some word of farewell, and Therese, serene in spite of pain, murmured, 'I have said all... all is consummated... only love counts.'

'I see that it is enough to realize one's nothingness, and give oneself wholly, like a child, into the arms of the good God.' - Therese of Lisieux