"Can you help me?", you ask me
No, my love, I cannot
I am still learning to heal myself
I do not know how to live
How then can I heal yours?
How can I know better how you should live
Than that "something" within you, longing so fervently?
Yes, I can listen with you
Not to the endless story of your thoughts
Not to the noise of this and then that, but
To hear what wants to be heard,
That silent little voice that dares hardly to speak
That, out of fear of being judged
By me, or by you,
Remains hidden. Silent. Almost dormant.
Perhaps hoping. Yes, maybe
To be loved one day.
"Can you help me?", you ask me
No, my love, I cannot
But I can listen with you
To the story of your pain
Of your sorrow
And of your heart's longing that lies hidden beneath
And when you feel the desire to open your doors
I can extend my hand to make it easier
When you feel in need of love or support,
I am glad to lend you mine.
If your body is empty, tired.
Perhaps I know an herb, a remedy to make it bearable
But helping you heal your life?
Helping you overcome your crisis?
No, I cannot.
Telling you how would be arrogant
I know less about your life than you yourself
No matter how much I have learned
I can hear you. See you. Understand you. Love you.
I can hold your hand and journey with you
If you allow me into the vulnerable depths of your soul
If you are willing to go where fear tries to stop you
Where you never know for sure how it will be
Where you expect the monsters and dragons
that you could not handle in your past.
There, I can travel with you.
You do not have to go there alone.
I can hold love for you,
so that fear does not imprison you
I can keep the focus clear with you
The deep desire that brought you here
So that you will find what you sought
Yourself
Your Strength
Your Love
Your Freedom
Your Beauty
"Can you help me?", you ask me
No, my love, I cannot
I have acquired things and learned things
Perhaps they inspire you
But I do not live your life, my love.
I promise you this: I will not judge
Not pretend to be better than you
I will be there with you
To discover together
The wonder that lies hidden
In your own life
The pearl that wants to be discovered
The vulnerable, pure child
That wants to be found and loved.
But I cannot help you
You can do that yourself.
Even if you may think otherwise.
Perhaps my listening will help you
To listen beneath the superficial, wild waves
Of your emotions, your fear, and your mind
And to dive deep into the still waters of your own soul
Where all knowing lies
All healing.
Everything is already there.
The original poem, as i found it, is from Conny Coppen (made June 2008). The original Dutch poem Kan ik je helpen can be found through the link.
