Take Nothing

take nothing

but shoes

for your feet.

no blade,

no billet,

no basket.

look only to the sky

for direction.

leave behind

your stout walking stick

but carry,

peace like fruit in a bowl.

seek only

the source of breathing.

be thankful

for what you're given

and keep

only what you need.

when the ground

breaks at your feet,

let true love

be the bread

you speak of.

let road dust

guide you,

small bites

sustain you,

until

you are

bloodied of foot,

despised,

distressed

in love

and singing,

a caged woman freed.

listen

and

you will

hear singing

in reply.