Here I Walk
By John Herlihy

I
I walk through fire;
I will need to be bold,
Courage drawn from deep reserves,
In my eyes, my hands, my heart to hold.
My mind receptive to probing questions,
All my senses open to primal suggestions.
How to suffer the flame’s burning scorch,
How to endure the torment of the fiery torch.

II
I walk through mountains,
By the divine Hand carved in stone,
Mounted into the heavens as regal as a throne.
Across the highlands, massive tree trunks assemble,
As pious parishioners in a cathedral to resemble,
Standing mutely in random attitudes of repose,
Waiting for the wind and the winter snows.
I walk humbly through the sun beams and shadows.

III
I walk through rivers,
As they make their way to the sea.
I walk through the river’s silvery light,
The sun’s light shining like the shield of a brave knight.
I walk through time hidden within its waters,
In the hope of finding eternity’s imprimatur.
The river is reborn with every step I make;
The river inspires me with every breath I take.

IV
I walk through primeval forests,
Recreating the solitude of temple and mosque.
Falling leaves blanket the land with rich autumn color;
The forest takes on the character of an aging scholar;
The silence hides behind every root and mound;
The sublime voice of nature need not make a sound;
Nature’s mystery lies in waiting for all to behold;
Its heart hides a secret that will never be fully told.

V
I walk through my body;
I wear proudly this suit of flesh and bone.
The eyes shine out from inside me with clear regard;
The smile gives me away as I let down my guard;
The full body mid-sized endeavoring to stand tall,
Wherever I walk in life I never feel small.
My hands shape my outer world in all they partake;
My feet take me on a journey that I am destined to make.

VI
I walk through my heart,
A cave of pure emotion full of forsaking,
Until my heart feels like a child again in the making,
Spontaneous and innocent and fragile for breaking.
Between the heart beats lie spaces in quiet repose,
Before returning to the rhythm that everybody knows.
Heart rhythms set the melody of a demanding life,
In tune with the courage to lead us through recurring strife.

VII
I walk through my soul;
The battle written upon an ancient scroll.
The life of the soul begins with a primitive cry,
Followed by the knowledge of a resigned sigh.
I pursue with vigor the greater battle of the soul,
Pure emotion seeking pathways to a unified whole.
An earthly man composed of human imperfection,
Committed to the search for Divine Perfection.