Prepare to exit

Prepare to exit
 
Die before you die, suggests the Sufis,
but who is it that dies and who remains?
 
I’m already a dead man, walking
the length of that long green mile.
 
My executioner accompanies me, stride for stride.
It’s about time to kiss the world goodbye.
 
She’s been beautiful, seductive and fickle –
and way more trouble than she’s worth.
 
I’ve cut her out of my will.
I’ve let go of everything but my self.
 
What does it take to abandon one’s self? 
Courage?  Deep despair? Or is it all Grace? 
 
The Sufis say death is not a door
to nothingness but to everything.
 
I pray daily for the karmic attainment
to intuit and obey their esoteric directives.
 
O child of God, prepare to exit this hurtling
ball of wax to make room for new blood.