preparation and humility: "Hineni, hineni, I'm ready, my Lord."
"The declaration of readiness, no matter what the outcome, that's a part of everyone's soul.....It's only when the energy becomes articulate that we can locate the willingness to serve."
In tribute to Leonard, one of the most articulate energies of our time I offer my reflections.
cleaning
it is so messy, my house,
dust adorns the table tops
and scuttles behind the chairs
my shelves are cluttered
and I have many forgotten promises
clothes in piles for mending
garden tools to put away
weeds to pull
I know which neighbor
lives with more mess than I do
who has dirty dishes piled
and broken furniture
I know who makes a list
for handling all the tasks
and checks them off each day
feeling smug and satisfied
I'm not as bad as this one
I tell myself with pride
and much better than that one
but today, quietly, I open all my windows
give thanks to the Light
pick up my broom and dust cloth
and begin
to clean my own house
room by room
- paboernke -