Universal Tides

I dreamed I saw my sum of life

As if an ocean, large and wide

And stooped to quench my thirst with haste

But found it bitter to the taste

I pondered in this in state of woe

How were its contents tainted so?

And took it in my heart to trace

The source that spewed such wretched waste

At first, upon my journey found

A river wide, and swift, and brown

“Ah hah!”, I gasped, “the putrid source!”

“But who can turn it from its course?”

“Its current is too strong to fight.”

Then saw I it, my course in life

I said, “But surely it can change?”

And ran upstream -- until I came. . .

Upon the place wherein it started

Where several streams, and each one parted

Each not too large, but still to blame

I saw in each a choice I’d made

Then from these streams I traced them long

To find what made me choose so wrong

These streams split up in several factions

‘Twas then I saw these brooks were actions

Unlike the rivers mighty flow

These brooks were shallow, soft, and slow

To change their course was no big feat

Still what had made me be so weak?

It wasn't far, I found the reason

A place where water pooled in season

These were the source which gave brooks motion

The overflow of pooled emotion

These attitudes had fueled my fate

In subtle flawed character traits

But born to this? It seemed unfair

What shaped me thus, in pooled despair?

For seemed to me these had no source

Till rain drops fell as teared remorse

Yes, every bead were little thoughts

Which rained on soil pure or not

But do thoughts happen all by chance?

I searched and took a second glance

Above were clouds condensing drops

I saw how motive formed my thoughts

From subterrains of mortal mind

My heart’s desire bore fruit in kind

To will, to be--a single ply

One’s fix doth light or dim the eye

Though focus is of nature born

So spirit cleaveth to its own

Thus war within my members these

Two masters no man can appease

To change one's nature, what a task!

“How is it done?” I prayed, I asked . . .

Then came a voice as if within

“My grace's sufficient for thy sin.”

“In time my love will cleanse your heart.”

I cried, “Oh Lord, but where to start?”

He said, “Be patient, I have blessed”

“The water is your consciousness.”

“For in this cycle water rises,”

“To form new clouds on life’s horizon.”

“But when!” dear Lord, my soul did cry

As thunder came my Lord’s reply

“Through trial of fire I purge the soul.”

“Believe, and I shall make you whole.”

“Behold the sun be as mine eye.”

“Its pounding flames shall mistify.”

“So, broken heart to alter bring.”

“Yet all in all ye lack one thing.”

“The tenor love--its all you need.”

“So watch your words, your thoughts, and deeds.”

“Put each one in their place, dear brother,”

“For one alone can't cleanse the other.”