Hymn for the Present

I feel the pain; I feel the joy

I witness death and life

The rollercoaster of my work’s

The essence of my strife

Come in with joy or desolate

Then exit high or low

The sponge of me cannot soak up

This constant overflow

Will labor cause my soul to break?

Benev’lence weigh me down?

Will anguish bleed out from my heart

And drench my dressing gown?

The drum beats with a rhythm that

Invites to hum along

And nature’s presence offers up

Its own accomp’ning song

The light that she gives to my dark

Star energy, distilled

I share from my own empty cup

And find it has refilled

Connection that I forge with them

My gifts of empathy

How sweet the sound—amazing grace—

That I give back to me

First, Do No Harm