To Stand in the World is to Be Suspicious

Paul Isbell

 

To stand in the world is to be suspicious
That's what the "No Loitering" signs say
That goes for blowing smoke in my direction
Just for looking! Just for looking the other way, too!

To stand in the world is to be suspicious
Requires first knowing the hell where you are
Requires a certain amount of tedious preparation
Requires you to be -- believe me -- who you really are

To stand and to take in the panorama
To stand and get the details too
To stand in the midst of the flaming chaos 

To stand where the center never holds

To stand in the world is to be suspicious
It calls upon all our fair and dark arts
The drum, the wand and the quill -- not just the plough 
Requires more than a phallic symbol, for starts

To stand in the world is to heed the call!
To stand is to start living heaven now!
To stand is to breathe in the sweet seduction 
To stand is the only heaven we're gonna know

To stand in the world is to be suspicious
Requires finally awaking to the dawn anew 
Requires the grace of a lion, the power of the nymph 
Even a bit of discipline might do

To stand in the world is to be suspicious
Requires communion with the goddess and the gods 
To stand in the world is to pay close attention 
Requires being and becoming too
 
Paul Isbell
from Celtic Prayers