You
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You are my inner voice, with me always:

a command to do what I do not wish

Yet my wish is to be faithful always,'til the end of life.

I attend to your tiny voice while others shout and rage

I hear nothing but your imperatives on how to be myself

In obedience to your command

I live out my life in obedience and silent hate.

How I resent your voice!

You rule my life and bind me with ties of obligation!

How dearly I desire to rage and rebel against those commands that constrict and drag me down!

Yet I cannot be free, for I am bound forever

To You, my silent presence, holding me back.

Then through a screen of willow leaves I saw the river of life:

Two boats were skimming on the silver stream; one fast, one slow.

I was in the fast boat, my energy raging, but You were stranded in the shallows.

I felt the pull of obligation, and I knew that I must slow down, go back.

As usual I turned by back on the exhilaration of the race

and came into the shallows with you.

(Wearily, for it was a great burden to stand and watch that silver stream rush by..... )

 

But then you thanked me and you smiled at me

You told me to go, get on with my life.

You told me that lfe in the shallows was all the life you would ever know.

You told me to take up my life and drink deep of every moment.

With a loving smile and a farewell kiss,

You set me free.

 

Althea