Dying to Ourselves

Once I was a grain of seed

That fell upon the earth

I held on to my life

For all that it was worth

I wanted oh so badly

To stay the grain I was

Remain in life familiar

As wheat so often does

I knew the life I had

And took comfort in its walls

Instead of dying to myself

By heeding nature’s calls

Part of me was selfish

Part vied for control

I thought a true perfection

Was essential to my role

I saw my stalk as flawless

My seeds the perfect size

My body gold in color

I desired no demise

It was hard to comprehend

A day of different breath

Though I dreamt of life more fertile

I was scared to yield to death

But I watched the grain around me

Fall onto the land

So I chose to follow suit

Refusing fear’s command

Dying to myself

Allowed for something new

In a paradox of loss

I created life’s debut

My selfishness fell dormant

To altruistic deed

While love of truth and being

Replaced deception’s seed

Buds of faith and hope

Sprouted from my core

Eradicating structure

That I had gripped before

I learned of true existence

And grew to bear much fruit

Living life of freedom

That trampled fear’s pursuit

Death of self we cling to

In our present state of grain

Enables life eternal

For through dying, life we gain

-C. O'Connell-