December #4

You Should So Ask For Help ...

You should so ask for help

that a wind will rise from the stones

and swirl around you, buoyant:

a soft cloak, a raft of air,

a sweet in-rush of breath.

You should so ask for help

that rain will fall gently, washing

all debris away from your path,

so you walk forth unobstructed

raising your face to be bathed.

You should so ask for help

that the grasses will ripple before you

like waves of an earth ocean,

as they flatten to ease your steps

and spring back straight behind.

You should so ask for help

that the sun and all the stars

brighten and flare at your call,

and people around you suddenly smile 

as you yourself are warmed.

First you must ask for help

to ask in such a way — must ask

for the long slow gifts 

of trust and patience,

humility, strength, integrity.

Or find the quicker way:

pray to be an instrument

of Love, Peace and Truth. 

Create with these a vision so large 

that all you are and do is in its service.

Whether you sleep or wake,

speak or be silent, scratch an itch,

make love, argue, go shopping ...

the vision is more than you; it holds you,

contains and fills you — that one!

Be prepared for your vision to take

if need be, lifetimes, and leagues of angels.

Seek to enrol the whole world

on to your team. Ask for help....

Take heart. You should so ask.

— Rosemary Nissen-Wade