Earth Etude for Elul 22 - Help Me Be

by Carol C. Reiman
Help me be as steady as the oak, 
ocean, owl's gaze; 

Flexing as the bird's wing,

cattail in the breeze,

stream 'round the stone; 

Patient as the long daylight,

path to the horizon,
journey to my core;

Gliding back and forth,

inner, outer,
values mirroring my mien. 

As I tire, fresh start,

spiral ever out afar; 

Treasuring earth's teaching,

voicing its protection,

seeing to its keeping,

as I work to seek my own. 

Carol C. Reiman juggles making a living, caring for family, and keeping ties with communities of human and non-human species.