A drop of God's oil

A drop of God’s oil                                                                        

Cover the earth with leather,
say the Buddhists, or shoe your feet. 
 
But that bit of wisdom doesn’t touch the pain
of our existential isolation.
 
A mile in my brother’s shoes will show me
only the contours of the outer terrain –
 
nothing of the interior.
Loneliness is made of clay – our clay.
 
I can’t be you; you can’t be me
so we try to get to know one another.
 
How far apart! -- two people holding hands,
whispering into each other’s ear.
 
Each human essence, the teachings say,
is a drop of God’s oil.
 
Once the barrier is broken, the post
surrendered -- the oil blends, remaining
 
what it always was, always is –
unadulterated Oneness.
 
O child of God, try each moment to acknowledge
that drop of oil within you and everyone else.