To the Determined But Distraught

Dear Distraught

I admire your determination

your undying will

Because where there’s a will, there’s a way

But what if you lose your way?

Look to the giant that towers above

A halo of clouds swirls around his head

completing his crown

His roots run deep into the ground on which he stands

and give him Life

His arms branch out and reach for the sky

pulling from the stars with leaved hands

Light

which he brings forth and spreads throughout the earth

His roots give him recognizance

They say

Expose us to Water and the Knowledge of the Ground

or you will perish

His leaves also give him recognizance

They say

Expose us to Air and the Knowledge of the Sun

or you will perish

He stands firm

and obeys

So in the rays of the Sun he prospers

And from the Waters of the sky he learns and grows

Therefore in the winds of the storm his roots anchor him

even when his branches go astray

And in the dead of winter he remains

even when his leaves are stolen from him by the cold and fall away

And if lightning dare strike him

the bolt will go right through him and into the ground

lest he catch fire

He stands firm

In this way he continues down the way of Life

pulling from the stars with leaved hands

Light

which he brings forth and spreads throughout the earth

In a similar way, may you stand firm

In the rays of the Sun may you prosper

And from the Waters of the sky may you learn and grow

So that

In the winds of the storm your roots anchor you

even when your friends go astray

And in the dead of winter you remain

even when loved ones are stolen from you and fall away

And if the devil dare tempt you

His influence will pass right through you and into the ground on which you stand

lest you lose your way

May you stand firm

Let your roots run deep into the ground on which you stand

and bring you Life

Reach for the sky and pull from the stars with your hands

your Light

so you may bring it forth and spread it throughout the earth