we rise

painting by daniel merriam

i cradle

in my arms

an idea

that was birthed

long ago

when i lived in a small room

that i called my own

the idea

that fell into my lap and my head and my heart

is that the world

is a good place

a very good and kind place

no matter what else

and of course i grew older

and learned

the terms of a parallel world

filled

with distractions

that exist to draw the goodness away

and replace it with easiness, suffering, unhappiness, stress -

not simplicity.

all

propped up,

and contained within

this other world

that exists inside

the one i love

oh, and by the way

the terms of this sad parallel world (simply put)

are that it is easier

to ignore the truth,

easier to look away

and much more desirable

to achieve or hold in your possession

that which others hold as worthy

whether it be a person

an object

an idea

or even

and maybe even most especially

that which contradicts the insight

that marks the signpost

for anyone

wishing to move beyond the surface of this world

because i want to remind you

that there is

beneath the material,

beneath the allegory, the metaphor, the simile,

beneath the parables held in place by angels,

and then beneath the lives

of the many

who have seen and see beyond everything

to nothing

this knowing

- this very simple knowing

that is the beginning

of unknowing -

that we can rise

so like the sun

so like the moon

so like the sound

of bells

above what is simple

or easy

and work

to welcome the goodness

of the real world

that holds all other worlds

like pearls

in mirrors

reflecting each other

into endlessness

and forever

and evermore