The yellow smoke fills
the grocery store shelves
and swirls past the lone can of peas.
Outside, it blocks the sun
and licks the pavement
of empty streets.
I sit in my center
and watch it eddy around
the grimacing eyes
the protective masks,
the plastic gloves, and
the spaces between us all.
But those shields merely obscure
the true war, the one inside.
Suddenly, the mind’s claws
grab the spiraling market trends
the unemployment rate
the death count
and hold on.
That is the truer virus,
which causes the real death.
Palms sweat,
nights turn long,
and the yellow doom lingers
over morning toast
and tea.
I call out to the Beloved,
see that face so clear and bright.
Slowly, I pass through a ceiling of clouds
and am back in the sunshine again.
The freedom to fly,
lit by the luminosity of love,
lifts me high above
the sallow mirage.
In that shift, I sacrifice all:
family and friends,
health, wealth,
security and love.
It is a small price.
Perfect. Thank you, Leslie.
So accurate to my experience as well! Thank you for saying it so succinctly…small price indeed to find the quiet Grace within.
Thank you, Lesley, for this beautiful poem. I needed it today!
💘 thank you!
Thank you Lesley, I love this, so poignant and true…..I particularly love the sense of effortlessness in the transformation. Inspiring! Much love x
Thank you, Lesley. This is such a wonderful reminder of the bigger picture and His real plan for us.
Thank you for that wonderful description of the lift of Bhakti…but most of all for such simple truth of what needs to be released.
Thank you all for you kind responses. This truth of, “It is a small price” came through a satsang from Richard Schaub, a parable he told, and it immediately spoke to me. Since then, I have applied it whenever that “yellow pall” sneaks into my consciousness and I see how I need to surrender yet more. We are so fortunate to have this fertile soil right now in which to grow our love. I so appreciate you reading and commenting. Love and blessings…
Wow thank you Lesley! Beautiful and just what I needed today. 💖