Precepts

Let love and patience be my light and guide

   When I walk down the alley of despair.

Let every act I do be justified

   And every word I speak be true and fair.

Let me be kind, but not from neediness—

   Be generous, but never give for gain.

Let me not add to folly, leave a mess,

   Or share the hurt whenever I feel pain.

Let me look down on my stupidity

   But no one else’s—be a student of

My faith and not its preacher—aid the free—

   Hearken to trust, and listen out of love.

      And when the time comes to depart this place,

      May I leave as I lived, with wit and grace.

 

Copyright 2016 Matthew J Wells