Homecoming

The river of life is flowing through me,

Mercilessly gnawing at every one of my facets,

Until I disperse through the finest of sands and most slender of crevices,

Becoming one with the torrent.

To survive the sifting of me into particles

And to be reborn into lasting oneness,

I divest myself of all precious gems,

Like one giving up their illusions.

I push my silken footwear and gilded garments

Onto the fragile raft of selfless desires,

Allowing the current to carry them forth

To those deeply hurt and most desperate.

And the more I give, the closer I get to returning Home!

For every gem rolling out of my hands

And for every piece of adornment I share,

Two waterlilies rise from my heart, sending out long, firm shoots.

As I slide through the mouth of the delta,

To unite with the sea,

I am already enmeshed in a netting of blossoms,

No longer fearing meaningless drifting.

I grow into true being,

From the foamy caps of the sea,

With ribbons of dewy flowers glistening in my hair,

And arms of crisp leaves embracing the Sun.

Through giving I have found Home

And received one of the greatest gifts of all:

The gift of purpose.