Forty-eight years ago
I took on the burden
of healing humanity.
I pushed myself.
I worked hard
night and day.
But I didn’t want to examine
what was inside
this enormous burden.
I didn’t want to look
too closely
at what might be within.
I didn't want to experience
the coldness of loneliness
or the darkness of helplessness.
I didn't want to experience
the tightness of poverty
or the fire of hatred.
I didn't want to experience
the pain of sickness
or the devastation of war
lest it pull me in
to its bottomless pit
lest it pull others in more.
Tonight, finally, I faced IT
this burden
I’ve carried every day.
I turn it inside out
upside down
and outside in.
It’s full of emptiness!
It doesn’t contain
a burden at all!
I only see ONE thing
in this eternal sack
slung over my shoulder.
I only see ONE.
I only see
love smiling back at me.