A Light On Earth

1/5/08

I looked upon the outer sheath I wore,

A countenance well-known, both friend and foe

Yet stranger to a wisdom held before,

Beyond the many births so long ago.

I did not ask of God my soul to fill

With moving poetry nor tore my breast

In anguish when the Muse's voice was still,

Beyond my self I knew that I was blessed.

A moment came when a high voice was heard

That counselled me to find the secret cave

Where the sacred Om, first and final Word,

Uplifted me as on a giant wave.

And in that hour of divine largesse

Awaking from a momentary trance

I saw the child-god roam and play at ease;

His face I saw in every human glance

And in the presence of a transformed earth,

Returned to beauty from the grasp of man

Nature looked on all with joyous mirth

Like a deer pursued who all the hounds outran.

I was at peace and all the world was still

Yet vibrant with a golden inner core,

Guided by a great unerring Will

A light so vast one must kneel to adore.

This universe in wondrous vision seen

At the cosmic edge where night and day are one,

A place recalled where once my soul had been

A light on earth more brilliant than the sun.