Transformation

Once the path seemed so clear

Through all the brambles

And dense undergrowth.

But I noticed as I hacked

My way through it,

Making judgments,

Giving ultimatums

About the truth as I saw it,

I left angry welts on those

I encountered on the way—

Sometimes ugly gashes,

Watering the earth with crimson.

Even the vegetation seemed to cry out

At my harshness.

Mystery has now settled over the path;

Unknowing often reigns.

And I consider much

Before my machete

Comes down.

The briars now do indeed

Draw my own blood.

I cry countless tears.

But, oddly, joy

Even compassion

Wells up in me

For those I meet along the path.

I cut carefully, mindfully

Around them as I go.

No longer do I hurt them.

We move along together

Toward that Brightness

Only the soul can see.