it's not about me

When I awake

I can lie still in the mornings

Waiting on you to join me

In that early morning grace

Of knowing that we have

Made it to today, whole,

Intact and in our right minds

I can immediately give thanks

That my prayers from

The night before have been answered

And while I may not realize it

In terms that I can touch

It never-the-less has happened

When I awake

I do not find you wanting

In any measurement of fullness

And I find your need

To begin the day in peace

A match to my own

So we go about the ministrations

A cup of tea, a heel of bread

A song of prayer, hums, whispers

Made by our own thanksgiving

Of a fast to be broken

When I awake

To the leaving and arriving

Of winds across a blue ocean

The scent of mangoes

And pleasant call of greetings

That await outside our door

It is good to be still

Against even pleasant intrusions

So we begin our day together

As we ended it the night before

In prayer for the things

We want for others and ourselves

When I wake

I am overwhelmed with

The extravagance of life

In placing me beside a man

Who understands that mercy

Is not a weakness

Nor love a fault of foolish men

But something to be treasured

And returned tenfold

When I awake

I realize that this day

Is not about me, but us.

© NP 09/19/12