Under the mask
There is a smile
Unless our eyes meet.
For the meeting, and the recognition,
Of all that is and all that asks and all that demands our hearts’ attention
Calls forth tears, flowing waters like Baptism,
Which moves in unseen way from death to life.
These days I smile when I am with others,
And the smile is real; it recognizes the beauty and worth of all eyes, every face, deep spirit breathing within
These days when I am alone, sooner or later I cry,
At the weight of all we are asked to carry today,
All we are asked
All we carry
Today.
Even so, I need sometimes to be alone, to take off the mask
To know the trace of the smile,
And to rejoice in the gift of others, bearing the burden with
JPM, 11/2/2020
Believe it. 