The Teaching
I went to my Mother the Goddess,
The old one who lives in The Deep
"Please, won't you give me a teaching?" I asked,
"To wake me from centuries of sleep."
I thought I would like to learn Courage,
Or Wisdom, Steadfastness or Pride
Or maybe Compassion as warm as the sun.
"Learn HUMILITY!" She cried.
It wasn't the answer I'd hoped for,
No glamour or sparkle ahead.
"What about Honour and Valour?" I asked;
"Learn HUMILITY!" She said.
I thought she meant start at the bottom
And was testing the Strength at my core.
So I asked "shall I show you how firm is my Faith?"
'Learn HUMILITY!" came the soft roar.
"Dear Mother, I'm longing for greatness
And I'm worthy of it!" I did cry.
"Please teach me Confidence, Dignity, Love?"
'Learn HUMILITY then!" her reply.
"You must think I am weak and am mewling"
I bemoaned, feeling unseen and small.
"But I would learn Honesty, Insightfulness,Trust!"
'Learn HUMILITY then, and that's all!"
After so many times of my asking,
I knew I dare not ask once more
For though I may not like the answers
Of the truth that she spoke I felt sure.
So I set to one side all my longing
To prove every sinew and nerve
And commited my life as she asked me to do;
I learnt to be simple and serve.
Now when someone asks "How'd you do it!?"
"Building wisdom and courage each day?"
"From whence springs your honesty, steadfastness, strength?"
"From HUMILITY!" I say.