The Light That Fills The Ocean

Your light fills the ocean
where I live. –Rumi

Whether we give ourselves or not
there is no compromise
in the rising tide
that defends the nature
of the stolen soul.

The handful of daisies plucked
from the edge of the neighbor’s field
does not wilt knowing they will never
see the sun again.

The falling star does not stall
to watch the flicker of fireflies
or wait for the delayed wish
of the woman unsure of how much
she can afford to give away to the night.

Walk the shores hopefully
and cast your body onto the rocks
at risk of losing the life you are living
if it might yield one night of pleasure.
If we give ourselves, or not,
the heart will never forgive
for the opportunity lost
to invite happiness, the most weary guest,
into the light of the warm hearth and give her a place to rest
until she can move on with new strength
toward the heavy doors of eternity.

From this place of salty mist
and sand between your toes
breathe deeply
have courage
and make space
for the ocean of light
that is about to arrive
as the tide is commanded to do.