The Gift

He was a mad mystic

A warrior poet

Wandering far from his home

When he met a fair maiden

She was alone in the water

Bathing in the stream of all time

 

As she stood in the current

Gracing the morning

Wearing no more than a smile

She greeted the stranger

And bade him, “Fine welcome

Will you not join with me awhile?”

 

He thanked her the offer

In manner most merry

But no grin could conceal his sad eyes

He said, “I must hurry

To keep to my journey

To find the last piece of my soul”

 

“You are an Outsider”

She said with compassion

Yet still did she know he spoke true

“What may I give you

For speed in your searching?

I wish I could show you the way”

 

“The wealth of your friendship

Is more than I am worthy”

And he bowed as he made his reply

“Still I would drink of your wisdom

Gain strength in your courage”

He sang forth as he turned to fly

 

She called out, “The courage

And the wisdom you seek

Burn bright and alive within you

As that piece of your soul

Dwells deep down there too”

And she pressed a cool hand to his heart

 

“Yet there’s a gift

I have saved here for you

Until now I have kept it to myself

For I believe you and I

Were meant always to be”

And she gave him the key to her heart

 

Now the hurt in his eyes

Passed from winter to springtime

Tears of joy melted sadness away

‘Til the flame of his spirit

Sparked there brighter than starlight

Fed by the love that they made

 

“But still I must go

Though I’ve found my lost soul”

The warrior poet did cry

“While gone’s the lamenting

And to stay here most tempting

There remains very much I must try”

 

The fair maiden she held him

And she kissed him once more

Then she said, “You should know you are free

To come and to go

As your dreams drive you onward

Just keep me ever safe in your heart”

 

He said that he loved her

And he pledged on his word

As he shifted the pack on his back

“You have me completely

Soon shall I return

To linger forever by your side”

 

He was a mad mystic

A warrior poet

Wandering closer to home

And he kept his fair maiden

Her love safe inside him

As they joined in the stream of all time

 

 

Thomas Hubbard (1/4/08)

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