Taken

Take me
by the hand
one more day,
one more mysterious day
where love and kindness
look me in the eye
longing to get lost inside
this body and in the light
that changes color at the edge
of white robes
bursting into gold.

Take me
as if it were the first time
you’d traced the lines of my face
with fingers trembling,
one more time the beginner
fumbling with fear
you might not gather the strength
to follow bliss offered with beauty
by the cycle of this lifetime.

Take me
as if it were the last time
you would kneel before me,
place your face in the dust
of my skin
and bless the moment
by inhaling.

Here is your temple.
Here is the warmth of the spirit
that brings you to the communion table
with all living things.
Here the Earth rises up
and shivers
at the base of the spine
and climbs the inevitable path
to the crown
you wear so well.

Take your seat.
Take your breath.
Take my hand
so that we might
join the family of souls
who await our arrival
and smile as we fly
freshly washed
and clean with laughter
in this final escape.