True Self

Within any given day, week, month or year

Our hearts and actions become very clear

Either love, compassion and kindness is shown

Or selfishness, hate and anger are grown

Whether felt for a parent, spouse or neighbor

A sibling, child or a complete stranger

This world is but practice for another

Where we will once again be living together

And who knows, when we finally get there

To our joy or sadness we will discover

That our feelings here, toward our fellowmen

We also feel toward our Father in Heaven

For given enough time, days, weeks, or years

Our true self emerges in spite of our fears

And our heart is revealed for all to see

Possessing hate and envy or love and charity

By Janice Harten

The Bright Secret