LIGHT OF THE SOUL

By John Herlihy

The long years now seem short

In this adventurous, precious life.

The passing days take their time

Or fly on nimble winged feet.

The lithe, young body grows old,

But the spirit stays ever young.

As the body breathes in, breathes out,

The spirit heaves as a bellows, empty, then full.

The chance to rest remains a dream with promise,

An abiding peace will bring forth lasting cure.

The days are there to steal away my patience,

The nights hold treachery to shadow my hopes.

No one knows where their choices take them,

Some things in life are better not to know.

As life goes on, I am still adrift on an open sea,

In the open sky overhead, wild geese fly free.

They fly in the wind, their cries to leave behind,

On the horizon, the gathering clouds promise rain.

Time’s arrow passes with my life in its wake,

Minutes, hours and days voyage with the sun.

My life in the hands of a Master Wood Carver,

The wood shavings cast shadows as they fall.

Hardship and toil whittle my kindness from me,

The purest part left behind, not stolen or broken,

Light shines from the brave soul in solitary ray.