In Secret

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-6

In Secret

In hiding from myself in public
surrounding myself with a crowd
I can avoid the true hidden self
the one who is wracked with fear.

At night, wandering the shoreline
no distraction only the truth
my prayer is simple and complete
help me for I am falling fast.

Bravado and showing off help
disguise the bully as a winner
yet when the costumes are removed
the humble player is revealed.

Let us then be who we truly are
grown children trembling now
our large bodies disguising need
our masks hiding our deep need.