What have I learned in Your keeping?
My grasp of the mysteries of the world
is no deeper than the film of motor oil
on the surface of a puddle of rain.
My desire to cease existing is neither
unique nor necessarily a surprise,
but my life does not belong to me,
but to you, and I should not destroy
or throw away that which is not mine.
I have found that there are more things
linked to you than I knew
–indeed, almost everything in the universe
seems to bear your signature upon its soul.
But also, finally, that all these defects may
be remedied if only I continue to draw breath,
feel the sun on my face, hear the wind at night,
and continue to exist in your service.
All Their Voices 