Brother Joel

Brother

I know not your grandfather

I know not your teachers

I know not your students

I know not your lineage

I know not your ancestors

I know not your allies

I know not where and with who you take refuge

I know not your faith

I know not your temper

I know not your demons

I know not your habits

I know not your trials

I know not your memories

I know not your imagination

I know not your story

I know not your truth

I know not a thing about you

I know not

And I know you

Our time together is short

Our space together is petite

Our practice together is but a glimpse

And I know you

Do you even know

Do you even know the veil you have torn

The light you have shed

The journey you inspired

The many you helped through me

The light you shed on the darkness

The darkness of Ignorance

Delusion

Bondage

Entanglement

Aversion

Attachment

Illusion of Control

Delusion of Lack of Choice

Do you even know

Oh you have not solved anything

Deleted anything

Eliminated anything

Replaced anything

Beautified anything

Nor have you

Vilified anything

Ennobled anything

But do you even know

That I know you

I know this is a story

Like all others

Incomplete

Inaccurate

Not to be taken too seriously

Not to be taken too lightly

And I will not dishonor you by placing you on a pedestal

But a part of me just knows

In all reverence

In all connectedness

In all gratitude

That I rest in the gift and safety and honor

That I know you