The Greatest Gift

(Artwork by Virginia Robert)

As her hands traced her body,

gathering her soul through her skin,

she held the glowing sphere

up to the sky, drew in all her breath

and released the stagnant air held

within her lungs.

She emptied everything inside

until she was an empty shell.

Holding her soul in her outstretched palms,

she said "This is my greatest gift and all

I have to offer you, my Beloved."

God smiled brilliant rays of sunlight across her face.

"No, my child. This is the gift I have given you."

And the earth wept as rain upon the land,

life sprang from the soil and the sun shone upon her soul.

She knew she was perfect just as she was. 

An amazing creature of light. 

She knew she was loved eternally

and this brought her the greatest joy

beyond any imaginable thing.