I believe in the breath
that brings me to life
like the bones
in Ezekiel's dream
that spirals through me
like the double helix
in DNA
twisting into mudras
balancing on a pinnacle
resting in stillness
at the center
I believe in silence
and retreat from the world
of illusion
walking in footprints of
those gone before me
on the great pilgrimage
seeking release from this web
I believe in the dance
prayer moving
through body and soul
shaman's drum
and talking stick
the Dance of Universal Peace
Dance of Shiva
Sundance
I believe in the stars
reflecting divine order
in the chaos below
as they did 2000 years ago
planets spinning in space
like the atoms inside of us
form spinning
in emptiness
I believe in the natural world
rain dripping from pine trees
tide pools teeming with life
nowhere to go
nothing to do
harmony
in the way things are
I believe in the supernatural world
angels, faerie queens, the Green Man
stone circles and monuments
to light and dark
the cycle of seasons
and the great mystery
from Salisbury to Giza
I believe in the old man
with white beard
looking down
amazed at the mess
wondering should it be
fire next time?
seven more plagues?
I believe in Christ
the light of the world
Christ the Redeemer
above the City
Christ of the Deep
beneath the sea
shining into the darkest of dark nights
from Stations of the Cross
to the Methodist Church
who taught us to serve the poor in spirit
like you and I
I believe in renouncing belief
revealing the glory of God
beyond understanding
cracking open the rigid frame
of my mind
that defines reality
according to my fears and desires
And I believe in the life everlasting
Amen.
- Paresh
