By: Seth Kahr

The slave girl follows the Tao.
She walks her path in perfection.
As the flowers, she bends against the wind's strength,
Thus her beauty endures.

Freed from illusions, she sees truth.
The constructs of ego are cast off.
The contrivances of self are abandoned.
Without modesty or shame, she stands as herself.

Like the water, she adapts and yields.
As her will is bent, thus does she overtake.
In being conquered, she wins her greatest victory.
Without sword or shield, she pierces the heart.

The chains upon her are heavy, yet her way is light.
Though in bondage, she is yet free.
She owns nothing, yet obtains everything.
She becomes nothing, and thus becomes everything.
She is endlessly amenable, and finds her center.
In losing herself, thus does she find herself.

Her love is without reservation;
Without reservation, it may be taken by any.
It is a well without bottom, a spring that does not dry up.
The more it is taken, the more she gives.
While remaining ceaseless, it stays pure.
Because it is pure, it is without reservation.

Deprived of striving, she does not pursue happiness;
Thus, happiness comes to her.
In the thousand-fold choices, her purpose is clear.
Though chaos abounds, she has order.
She knows her place, and thus moves everywhere.
She knows her purpose, thus happiness dwells within her.

- Seth Kahr
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