The Work Before Us

As the drama of our lives intensifies

And moves toward a high predestined close

We are given the Word whose truth revivifies,

A joy intoned above death's final throes.

But if we look behind or tell our stars

The future stillborn lies within the womb

Of sleep for we treasure too dear our wounds and scars

And higher possibilities entomb.

We must shed the mantle of our beleaguered past,

Our charge is to refuse our former state,

Dismiss the actors of our makeshift cast

The febrile attitudes of mind negate

Nor walk on tired thoroughfares of thought

That nowhere lead and higher gifts misspend,

As vagrants boarding ancient trains are caught

On rails that lead to a sad familiar end.

We must peel back the layers of the years

Facing our tortuous past with fortitude

Expose our trivialities and fears,

The fount of our nobility, the rude

And course propensities of daily fare,

A rank and file of small inconsequent deeds,

Feel in our souls the dawning light and dare

To jettison all that hinders and impedes,

Accept the invitation to delight

Fix the compass needle firm and true

Await the opening of inner sight

And the union with the Lord of Life renew.