He said: save yourself,
no one will carry you.
But I have seen
hands lift the fallen,
a burden shared
become lighter than air.



He said: friendship is trade,
value for value.
But I have seen
a cup passed freely,
warmth given in silence,
no reckoning kept.



He said: guard your days,
hoard them like coin.
But I have seen
time broken open,
bread multiplied,
wine enough for all.



He said: money is love,
respect, survival.
But I have seen
a widow’s offering
outshine palaces,
treasure hidden
where no thief enters.



He said: all mentors lie,
take every advantage.
But I have seen
the soft voice steady,
the quiet hand guide,
the humble inherit the ground.



He said: love has a cost,
no gift is free.
But I have seen
forgiveness widen
beyond measure,
mercy return again and again.



He said: life hardens men,
better to guard emotion.
But I have seen
tears at a graveside
become morning light,
a pierced heart
teach the world to breathe.



He said: health is prime,
fitness first.
But I have seen
bodies falter,
yet spirits blaze
whole in their breaking.



So I answer:
you are not your own saviour.
You are dust,
and loved.
The mystery is this:
to lose yourself
and find more
than you sought.