In the desert I walked, so long
Alone, beyond an evening sun.
While earlier in town we danced
For loves, as easily lost as won.
Passing beyond the city gates
I’d found a destiny within that sings
Knowing deeply what can end,
Renews, and once again begins.
For ages, it felt, walking,
An infinity, in a timeless sink.
In Jonah’s yellow sunlight baked
And from sandy pools I’d drink,
Now, many years hence, by luck
I’ve lived to share a tale
And recount to you this fateful time
In the belly of a desert whale:
By a cave at night, light
A flash as though a dream
The ether splashed upon me
Reality bursting at the seams.
It came as questions six
A mind’s eye dance beyond words
Hard to tell if another was speaking
Or was my very own voice I’d heard.
“What is behind me?”
And my vision ventured back
First to family, deeds, and dreams
To unseen lands from the distant past.
“What is within me?”
And my heart burst open wide
With fears and hope, regrets and love
A truth, from which I couldn’t hide.
“What surrounds me?”
And natures gifts burned bright
Trees and sands, birds and lands
Miracles glowing with holy light.
“What is above me?”
And at this I looked straight up
Gifts as many as the stars to see
Two eyes were barely enough
“Whom do I face?”
And then I saw the unseen
Not men or women, but a guide
By a holy mirror inside of me.
“What is ahead of me?”
And there was the black unknown
With faith and trust and love
Facing it, but ultimately - alone.
It left as fast as it came
The night seeped back in
Was I by a prophet visited?
What had I really seen?
Little things felt different
Touch, and taste, and smell
I felt a wee bit older
Though stronger, and quite well
What came to pass truly?
That answer I never knew,
I suppose it’s what we do that matters
So tell me - what would you?
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