You look in amazement

         at your body that keeps you alive,

         and you ask who is “you”

         that goes on living?

         Who delights in the sights

         your eyes can see,

         listens to the sounds you hear,

         and understands

         there is no understanding

         beyond the names of things?

        Who won’t allow your breath

          to stop from breathing

          your thoughts to discontinue

         thinking?  

         Once you tried earnestly  

         to comprehend it all.

         You used familiar terms:

         you sat yourself in ashes  

                                I                   

                 II

         bled tragedies

         declared protests,

         voiced cynicism.

        But the world went on

         as it does

         over the limits of your mind.

         So when you grew old

         and came close to the edge

        the spotlight of your knowing

         grew deep into yourself

         where there was joy

         and you were free to be

         the clown they

         never wanted you to be;

         to fill your lungs with laughter,

         and dance as far

         as you could dance                    

         on top of hills.  

                                  II