Sometime our souls would outward fly

            To other realms - beyond the eye,

                              And leave our flesh below.



But earthy bonds invade, intrude.
            They hobble and harass our mood,
                              And halt our spirits' flow.


Too strong, the fleshy hooks torment.
            Too soon, our souls are caught and bent
                              From whence they yearn to go.


How long - (How long?) - must we be chained
            By lust and weakness - darkly stained,
                              And not allowed to grow?


Is this dark reach our only fate?
            To sense, but not pass through the gate
                              Of wonder - not to know?


Is this pale echo of the truth,
            This silent image - spare - aloof,
                              To be the only show?


Why then, must we be teased and tried,
            With bitter longings - long denied,
                              A life too quick, or slow?


It's best to be asleep - inert.
            Avoid the heartache, heat and hurt,
                              And let the yearning go!

                         -  Yet -


To never reach the stars above?
 
            To forfeit hope and joy and love?

                              On no   And No!   And NO!!






Copyright © 1992 by Gerry Edwards