THE FECUND FIELDS OF FARLOW

There is a land, don’t ask me where,
Filled with nothing; yet, everything’s there.

There is no sun or shining star,
Yet light and warmth are spread afar.

There are no oceans, no rivers or seas,
Yet waves do dance, with mirth, as they please.

There are no birds, but there is lilting song,
Sweet, fulfilling, yet for more you long.

There are no trees that may flowers bring,
Still it feels like the midst of a blossoming spring.

There is no work, yet no dearth of things to do,
Everything’s always the same, still every moment is new.

And if you go there you will hear the subtle, supple sound,
Of perpetual gaiety and merriment, and laughter all around.

Alas! They say I must give it a name,
‘For how else will it retain its fame?’
And so, with an upward glance and a little bow,
I tell them, ‘these are the Fecund Fields of Farlow’.

– Written in 2005

THE ROADS OF LIFE

Where do these roads come from?
Where do they go?
For on and on, like time, they flow.

Like a stream of water on an icy slope,
They bring with them both despair and hope.
They walk on, far ahead of sight,
Like the depths of darkness, and the light of night.

So follow the path till it reaches its end,
Don’t linger long trying to comprehend;
For everything you must surrender
Before entering that world of wonder;

Where the light of love caresses the ground,
Where greed and hatred are not to be found.
Where the wind breezes through the trees,
Where flowers dance to the humming of bees;
Where the angels of joy don’t need wings to fly,
Where you can’t stop smiling, even if you try.

Into that land these roads must go,
For on and on, like time, they flow.

– Written in 2005

THE WORLD BEYOND

Under the moon’s seductive spell,
I watch the stars tremble in the sky;
I wonder if she can make them tell,
Of the mysteries that in their midst do lie.

What splendid secrets do they hold?
What thrilling tales lie untold?
What tantalizing treasures do they conceal?
What eclectic emotions do they feel?

What succulent songs do they sing?
To what cosmic music do they dance?
Do they know the answers to everything?
Can they separate fate and chance?

They make beautiful patterns in the sky,
To which much meaning we give;
Are they joking or do they lie
Or can they really help us better live?

Shielded by space and cloaked by time,
They puzzle, baffle and beguile,
Someday, in kindness, I hope they give me the key,
That vanquishes their veil of mystery.

-Written in Dec 2010