I am in the world!
My Mother and I are One.
I am a part of her.
When I am hungry,
She nourishes me.
When I am frightened,
She calms me.

We are one.

I am in the world!
I am apart from my mother.
People and things surround me.
I reach out to touch them.
When I am hungry,
I cry out for my mother;
And she feeds me.
When I am frightened,
I cry out for my mother;
And she comforts me.
I am at peace.

We are one.

I am in the world!
Darkness surrounds me.
Threatening figures close in on me.
I cry out for my mother;
But she does not answer me.

I am alone.

I move against the hostile foe.
I push them away
And create a safe place around me.
I set a Strong Sentinel
At the gate of my kingdom. And

I am alone.

I am alone in my world!
I observe the world of others
From the safety of my castle walls.
Caravans pass by.
Some stay afar off,
Others come near.

There is a familiar sweetness
About some of these travelers.
It reminds me of my mother’s touch.
My body aches to feel it again.
I yearn to reach out to
One of these sweet travelers.
But I cannot risk the dangers
Outside my castle walls.
Perhaps I will invite one of them
To come inside?

Now comes the voice of
My ever-vigilant sentinel,
Speaking anxiously to me:
“Be cautious. Be careful.
On Guard. Beware!”
And they are gone. And

I am alone.

I am alone in my world;
And it mocks me!
Behind my solid walls,
My aching soul cries out.
I am hungry;
And I have no one to feed me.
I am frightened;
And I have no one to soothe my fears.
I am weary;
And I have no one to protect me,
While I sleep.

My fortress is my prison.
Starvation and Death
Are my companions.
And I am alone.
I am alone in my world;
And it mocks me!
Caravans stream past my castle walls.
Within an arm’s length of me
Lie the food and comfort
That I seek.

From the depths of my soul
I cry out for them.
But the Sentinel at my gate
Bars me from them.
A violent battle begins
To rage within me.
It calls me to action.

But my timid child’s heart
Cowers at this great challenge.
Where can I find the courage
To join this battle?

I cry out for my mother’s help;
But she does not answer.
And I am frightened.
I curse my mother
And rail against her. But

I am still alone!

My body is racked with torment.
Tears stream from my eyes.
A heavy sigh escapes
My trembling lips.
Mournfully, lovingly
I let the memory go.
And as I let the memory go,
I also let the darkness go.

And from somewhere deep within,
I draw the strength
To comfort the frightened child within.
And so the courage grows
To face the challenge
Of my fears.

I pick up the gauntlet
That fate has cast before me.

I choose to live!