Uncarved Wood

As children we were like wood –
Uncarved and ready to be shaped.
People taught us to need,
To depend on life.

But the less we can cling to life,
The more we can give of ourselves.
The sooner we can return to simplicity,
The better.

For when the self becomes the purpose,
Greed and power takes over –
The spirit becomes a prisoner
Of material vice.

God freed us into this world.
He has left us to find the way.
He has left many crumbs along the path,
Hoping that his children will return.

Copyright © 1991 by Jim Ing