Have you ever Made a Promise
When I was just a young girl, all but 21 years old,
I found myself in the depths of despair
And facing the sure end of my Life.
I cried out to my dead father, who was tragically killed when
I was one and half years old.
In the darkness I cried, help me, please
If you get me out of this, show me the way
I promise to you and the Universe
I will commit my life to service.
The service of doing good, helping others
Making all that I had endured of value.
That I would face the pain inside of me
And turn it to wisdom.
That I would lay down the vices
That softened the pain
And go forward in truth and love
As best I was able.
I have honored that commitment as I move
Into my 24th year of the journey.
Though I did not know or could even imagine
All that would be laid upon my platter.
Many times I have spoken out loud, please stop
It is too much, I can’t do it.
But surely and simply when I listened deeply
the Way through would be shown to me.
Deeply grateful.
~Lori Ellis-McKinney
