If you and I are one

If you and I are one

If you and I are one,
both children of God,
light among lights,
then perhaps we both
are also lanterns
shining together
to create one light. 

And so, as one,
the hand that strikes you
strikes me also.
The breath
that dims your light
dims mine.

If you and I are one,
then I shall shield myself
and in so doing, shield you
when your lamp
is knocked sideways,
when your flame goes dim
from lack of oxygen.

As long as my lamp is lit,
a flame is here for you always
and when mine is dim,
may you be there
to lend a spark.
and when both
our lights are dim,
may we seek together
that which is inside us,
that with which
to make us whole. 

No hand or mouth
can prevent this,
my sister, none.