A Poem/Prayer

I do not know what or who you are,

but I know that you Are.

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That knowledge is hard won

of my own accord.

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(Sometimes I like to take

the long way around things.)

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It’s just my way, but I find myself

learning more and more every day.

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For decades I was in the grasp

of the chants, the prayers,

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the affirmations, not even faith

without works, more like magic spells

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that never came to fruition.

Wrapped up in the wounds

*

of my very real trauma, spinning

in a cycle of self-deception,

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and never really paying attention

to the very real presence

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of miracles large and small

everywhere in my life.

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A 700-mile road trip on a

fuel pump installed backwards.

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Changing lanes on a New Year’s Eve

just in time to miss the wrong way driver with

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headlights off, which surely would

have crumpled my ancient little Honda

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into a fatal accordion chrysalis, ending

my journey right then and there.

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The first smiles of recognition

from both my children.

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So, I know you’ve been around, now that

I look back. I just realize, now, that

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I was only living half the equation,

forgetting to take care of my side of the street.

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Now, the breath guides me, in and out,

and I focus on that which I can control:

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my mind, my heart, my actions, looking

constantly to do the Next Right Thing

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for myself, for my family,

for the world.

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Working to create in every moment

I have left, working to remember

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the reality that I am an eternal soul,

living a human experience,

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and remembering, after all this time,

that I am a lantern at last uncovered,

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joining with You and all our kind

to bring Light unto the world.

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And for that, I am grateful.