Step Back

Put down the list of things to do

Save it

For a moment when your jaw

Isn't clenched

When the words

Don't blear together

From the throbbing behind your eyes

The floor needs sweeping

So put on some soft socks

To mask the feeling

Tuck the dishes into the sink

And cover them with a towel

The laundry can wait until tomorrow

Now is not the time for stress

Your brain can't handle much more

Without committing suicide

So let go...

Open the shutters wide

And soften your eyes with the green of trees

Drift along with the music

Of the turning of the earth

Feel it rumble under your toes

And echo with your own heart beat

God didn't create while panicked

He made it all slowly

Step by step

Looking over each little plant

To say,

Yes, that is good.

Not About You

Believe it or not

It might seem like the sun rose

Just so you could wake up

This morning

And get married

Or go on vacation

Or complain about the heat

But it rose to feed the trees

To feed the algae

To feed the countless lives

Stage by stage on the chain of life

And your waking was only one

Microscopic speck

Of the overall plan.

You might think traffic moves

Just so you can get to work

Or that old woman with coupons

Is in line just to irritate you

Or nothing's on TV

So that you can get the laundry done

Or cookies call to you

Or people wait to serve you.

Get over it

Get over yourself

You want it to be about you?

Do something with your life

To feed the world

To help people find work

Pay for groceries

Have clothing of their own

Eat.

Forget about being served.

Serve.