Poem

I am here because there is no refuge
Finally from myself
Until I confront myself in the eyes
And hearts of others,
I am running
Until I suffer them to share my secrets,
I have no safety from them.
Afraid to be known, I can know
Neither myself nor any other -
I will be alone.

Where else but in our common ground
Can I find such a mirror?
Here, together, I can at last appear
Clearly to myself.
Not as the giant of my dreams,
Nor the dwarf of my fears,
But as myself ~ part of a whole ~
With my share in its purpose.
In this ground we can each take root and grow,
Not alone anymore as in death,
But alive to ourselves and others.

~ Richard Beauvais