Beyond the Search

(2001)

Waking up in the morning,
in this urban jungle-
of nightmares, of chaotic lives,
of disappointment;
and, only so occasionally
of love and fulfillment.
Waking up
to an empty bed,
with no one to comfort the lonely night,
with the memory of last night's dreams still fresh-
ah, if only dreams could come true!

The day goes on-
the empty rites of work
that must be done;
did someone ever ask you
if you would like to spend the day
beneath the blue sky, caressed by the win
d with no worry save what to do if the rains came?
Did someone ever ask you
if you would like to spend the day
in the blissful arms of a loved one?
Loved one?
In this self-centred, self-focussed urban milieu
is it really possible to find someone
who will truly love you
and not your trappings
of money, power or fame?
Or use you as a means
simply to satisfy the ego?

Close your eyes, listen to the wind-
take a look at the flowers that blossom each day
right before your eyes.
Aren't you glad that you are alive,
breathing, able to see
and able to hear
what loveliness you care to admit.
Beyond your search
for money and power,
for love that never comes,
far beyond all the inanities of life,
care to concede
to yourself
that it is a beautiful life after all.