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.
