One Look

One look from You
makes even a wretch worthy of grace.

I catch myself yearning to
…find the time,
…make the arrangements,
…save the money,
…take the trip
Maybe for just one look of my own.

Then I remember…
I am already so close
That I can see You even with my eyes open.

I am close, even far away.

You’ve looked at me every moment of every day,
from the instant I said, “Yes,” and even before.

So, why this yearning?

Because with one look,
You can see what is real and unchanging, the self.

The self that is wearing the costume of “me.”

For now, all I can do is think of Your smile…of your darshan
Fine ash in Your hands…as fine as the final stage of everything physical.

And I am there…with You…waiting for one look.

~Jodi Alexander
Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA, 2006