What stillness brings to me it brings to you, what pain brings to you it brings to me…

it is like this - like lotus-flowers opening to the morning sunlight, brilliant white, surrounding a gem

of pure still water, like a diamond, exposing light for all it is.

it is like this - yearning for this warmth in the early mists, clarity half-absorbed, half-evaporated,

among the million lotuses, two whose names are you and I, share the gem’s source.

it is like this - our petals, so similar, each shine brilliantly, individually not without the water which brings us light and life.

this same fluid beats between us, these petals do not define us; nor does the glistening gem.

it is like this - What stillness brings to me it brings to you, what pain brings to you it brings to me,

the very same warmth that opens us to our unity, opens us to our solitude.