I have many arms…
to soothe and heal, to plant and sow,
to cut and reap, to touch and hold,
to defend and fight, to embrace and allow,
to brandish a sword, to guide a plough,
to bring forth life, to rock to sleep,
to give and forgive, to take and keep,
to beat and burn, to care and caress,
to feed and water, to hold and harness
to shape and sculpt, to knead and pound,
to cut away the old, prepare new ground,
to create or destroy, to make and demolish,
to carry or drop, to pick up or relinquish
to cast a net, to empty or fill,
to stir or disturb, to settle or still,
to help or injure, to revive or kill,
to do the bidding of my deeper will…
...but two arms I reserve for the holy work
of holding to myself in the midst of the world