This awkward speck of dust,
this universe, time, and every
act and thought
from mineral to man,
deposited in the library of my marrow.

I do not know what I know
it enters through another door,
disturbs my fragile understandings,
rattles my dinnerware and knocks
all my trophies off their shelves.

Breathed in loving madness,
revealed beyond the mind
and the shape of things.

Do not be betrayed
by philosophies and enlightenments–
all there is to be
was yours before you began.

Stephen Levine is the bestselling author of A Gradual Awakening, Who Dies?, Meetings at the Edge, Healing into Life and Death, Guided Meditations, Embracing the Beloved, A Year to Live, Turning toward the Mystery, and Unattended Sorrow.  This poem comes from his new book, Breaking the Drought:  Visions of Grace, of which Roshi Joan Halifax writes, "This is a gorgeous book, a book of powerful images, experience, beauty, and wisdom.  Stephen Levine has always told the truth; now he does it with the great beauty of his poetry ringing in our hearts."

See also:
"Seeing her face this morning..."
"There is an elemental love."
Mother of us all