Of those who admire me, who hold me in the highest regard and esteem

If only they knew my failures, my doubt, my fears, and the hurt my ignorance has conveyed

They might not look to me for so much, with such certainty or so often

Of those who disdain me, who hold me beneath their contempt for themselves

If only they knew the goodness I have done, the compassion I have shown, and the wisdom I have imparted

They might not say so many disparaging things, so assuredly or so often

Those who know self, are immune to this diametric.  They see the whole of me within the whole of them….and I, the whole of them within me.

They see their own privilege, keeping them from my failures – as I see my own having kept me from theirs

These, who work as Masters-  Neither avoiding the pain of truth, nor fearing the truth of pain.  I find peace in myself among them, and they find peace in them with me.

No refuge, no shelter is ever needed when the sun burns through the fog of human ruth and shame.

There go I, but for so many graces – There go you, but for so many of the same

And this is when the laughter calls-  We know we leave nothing behind.  The future, living in this moment and in everything we hold dear.  And our past, our capacity to embrace it- In certainty and with freedom from fear