Birthday

Unconscious was I born, unconscious still

I walk upon this sacred ground of earth,

Knowing not the ending of the day

Nor of this life the goal I must fulfil.

I am aware of former births in lands

Unvisited and seas not crossed by me

In this marvel frame that holds my sense-bound soul,

These eyes that looked on beauty and these hands

That felt the beating heart within the soil

And love that held me in its fierce embrace

Or gently soothed my wounds and kissed my brow

When I exhausted from excessive toil,

The body spent from blatant overuse

Sank down in sorrow mid the world's deceit.

But now an unseen chapter has begun,

The battle fought within and no misuse

Of energy allowed for as the peace

Surrounds me and a blessed calm descends

I look on life with love and gratitude,

Hold no remorse and no antipathies

For those of evil will or wrongful deed

Who passed me on the road to enlightenment.

For One has called me from my dream of sleep

To widen and receive all that I need

And manifest all that I am within,

Resilient to Her touch that She may mould

According to Her will this being's role,

At seventy-one I joyfully begin.