Cross yourself

Cross yourself                                                                                      

Cross yourself – routinely

(in whatever form customary) –

puja, zikr, mea culpa; yarmulke,

psalter, kusti, damru, suf.

Don’t look for trouble; let it find you – 

keep it between the shoulders,

o good neighbor. You’ll find dear enough,

familiar faces around the corner,

down the street, in need of heartiness

and a gentle hand.  Cross yourself –

quietly, discreetly; apply deeper wisdom,

a farther vision, visceral caution. 

Keep your balance to help

balance the world around you.

Cross yourself, o traitorous one,

and you may find after so long a time

crossing yourself befriends the Friend –

befriends the One, befriends your true Self.

O child of God, give only advice gingerly

gleaned from the words of the Master.