unlikely but sure alternatives

water taught me
strength
by first yielding
then overcoming
with persistent
caresses.

nothing is able to bruise water;
everything succumbs
before the relentless
yielding power of
water.

if you would be victorious
learn first to yield
then quietly and gently persist;
your enemies are vanquished thereby.

learn LOVE
from those that abuse and hate
you;
Love is not strengthened by ease,
it is fortified
in the face of horrendous
abuse.

forgive those that torture
you;
forgiveness
would see your torturers
driven insane
destroyed,
physically and psychologically
ruined.

learn FREEDOM
by first surrendering;

offer selfless service
and assistance to all beings
in distress
it is only ignorance that
offers resistance –
surrender releases everything
held captive
whether of one’s own making
or by imposition.

finally,
achieve IMMORTALITY
by dying daily –
the wise understand.