Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

10

Time wanders gently through the morning mist,

Pausing to touch

Here a rock, there a lightning-struck tree;

Then passing silently.

I wander with Time and God,

Pausing to caress

There a gnarled limb, here a mossy granite face;

Unmindful of particular place,

But rather aware of the relationship

Of we three:  I and God and Time.

In solitude, we three seek

To bring rhyme,

Or reason (we're not particular),

Or understanding to ease the bleak

Outlook of the Race of Humankind,

Mouthing emptily

Of closeness, but unwilling to touch;

Of honesty, but unwilling to trust;

Of spiritual vigor, but unwilling to make commitment;

Of helping, but unwilling to sacrifice;

Of loving, if; loving, but; loving, only when.

And so, we contemplate:  God and I and Time,

Laughing quietly, acceptingly, hopingly;

For even this cantankerous Race

Shows promise,

In those few who place

Closeness, honesty, spiritual vigor, helping, loving,

And a right relationship with God

In the forefront of their lives.

Then God and I continue on our way

Content,

While Time wanders gently through the morning mist,

Pausing to touch

Here a drop of dew, there a delicate bloom;

Then passing silently.

March 1, 1977