Illusions of Refuge

And if your refuge fails you

or if it says you’ve failed

and thus cannot avail yourself of safety

Or if your refuge

is put in question

by someone else’s sense of truth

Or if the solace it provides

has grayed, has faded,

has been rendered hollow

Don’t be afraid. 

For even as your demons rage

and push you towards the center,

as the edges crumble

and your space grows smaller

You are already redeemed.

You were delivered

even before the dawning of your first day.

Your substance is secure,

your realm is infinite —

you need no refuge,

for you own your grace.

©Wendy Mulhern

March 15, 2019