Thursday, July 27, 2006
Making Your Soul
Making Your Soul
(For Patricia Lay-Dorsey, who knows how it is done)
To do it, you must be prepared
for emergency measures,
to give sustained devotion
like that of a saint
telling her beads in unbroken rhythm
whether standing in mounting snow
or beneath the scalding sun.
This process is quite specific,
not a child's game
of shadows on the wall,
nor some adult's mindless consumption
of warmed over soup
and yesterday's bread.
It is not the business of the therapist
to take you there,
though she might help you
to prepare for the journey,
nor is it the domain of the "master teacher"
who has all answers.
He does not really know you,
though he might offer
some useful information.
Inside you, there is an
secret flame.
She is burning always,
without fail.
She is waiting for you
to join her in a knowing fashion,
to lead you ahead.
Her voice is one you have always known.
She wears your face.
Dorothy Walters
July 27, 2006
(For Patricia Lay-Dorsey, who knows how it is done)
To do it, you must be prepared
for emergency measures,
to give sustained devotion
like that of a saint
telling her beads in unbroken rhythm
whether standing in mounting snow
or beneath the scalding sun.
This process is quite specific,
not a child's game
of shadows on the wall,
nor some adult's mindless consumption
of warmed over soup
and yesterday's bread.
It is not the business of the therapist
to take you there,
though she might help you
to prepare for the journey,
nor is it the domain of the "master teacher"
who has all answers.
He does not really know you,
though he might offer
some useful information.
Inside you, there is an
secret flame.
She is burning always,
without fail.
She is waiting for you
to join her in a knowing fashion,
to lead you ahead.
Her voice is one you have always known.
She wears your face.
Dorothy Walters
July 27, 2006
