Seek and Ye Shall Find

As I walk throughout the flowers,
The elms and maples tower,
Looming in the distance: sequoias,
Blue spruce, and the setting sun.
I come upon a river,
While the trees in breeze, they quiver,
Trout is jumping towards the heavens,
Salmon swimming far upstream.
Then I walk along the water,
Where oak trees almost totter,
But tenaciously hold the soil,
While the liquid carves a crevice.
In the distance crawls a snake,
And the pines begin to shake,
A dove descends to take a drink,
Then eagle’s swoop for a slithery meal.
Oh, the sphere of night is rising,
And o’er distance wolves are calling,
A fawn has fallen from its life,
Fed, the creatures of the dark.
A spark I make, to build a flame,
To block the stygian fog, and keep it tame,
And roast the bass caught ‘ere the eventide,
My hunger is vanquished, but not consumed.
Then with birds and crickets chirping,
I gaze upon the stars their gleaming,
And willow branches hanging overhead,
While slowly drifting towards my dreams.
My body rests, and then I wake,
To see the gorgeous dawn now break,
I then arise to swim and wash,
The night’s fine silt from off my face.
The water bubbles down its way,
I will find its source today,
The sky is pure a brilliant blue,
With feathery highlights slowly soaring.
The mossy rocks pad my feet,
While hearty rays, my back they beat,
And whistling breeze rustles through the leaves,
Again, the forest calls my name.
So on I go while squirrels dance,
Rabbits gather to watch their stance,
A tune I hear that’s far away,
And feel inclined to investigate.
The river eddies, “but why?” I say;
Of course, it empties from a lake,
Onward going a town I see,
At last, I’ve made it to the place,
My heart is warmed, oh great bounty,
Though desolate forests certainly,
Had taught me much and filled my soul,
A wondrous plan I witnessed bold.
But now I truly have a chance,
To enter lives, held in my glance,
Their song is loudly pulling me,
“Oh valley, will you be the dwelling place?”
I’ve searched so long but never found,
A people that could make the sound,
Of souls combined in peace and love,
And superficial traits ignored.
The homes now larger, there’s glee in air,
My mind is awed by an increasing glare,
I am blinded as I enter,
The town’s outskirts, then its center.
My senses falter, I have arrived,
My soul is one with all alive,
All knowledge, wisdom no longer hides,
And all around me are all inside;
The heart of hearts, “Oh timeless pith,”
And home of He who truly Is,
“Oh brothers, sisters, come with me,
We’ll follow Him and finally see!”

Andrew J. Manuse – 2-13-99