Colloquy of Thought

Said my Longing to my Soul

"Shall we walk upon the strand

And trace each every inlet

Where the sea kisses the sand?"

Replied my Soul unto my Longing

"Sir, you have waited far too long

The hour comes of midnight's making

when our path may yet go wrong."

Scoffed my Longing at my Soul

"Why need we Day's harsh light

When other lamps can light our way

The stars that dance in glorious night?"

So bent my Soul unto my Longing

And rising from that cautious seat

Made their way along the shore

The sand still warm to their feet

Then said my Longing to my Soul

"While the day's warmth linger's yet

Let us wade out into the waters

To dance among the foaming wet."

Answered my Soul unto my Longing,

"Is the water here not deep?

And what strange currents

May yet sweep us from our feet?"

Smiled my Longing to my Soul,

"But we shall wade out not too far

And when the water touches knees

Safe we'll stand on that sand bar."

Said my Soul unto my Longing,

"To the sand bar but no one more step

For I know not these deep waters

Or past sorrows they have kept."

Whispered my Longing to my Soul,

"Past sorrows pass as a leaf in the stream

And even today's tragedy all too soon

Reclines inside and fades like a dream."

So headed my Soul the words of my Longing

And setting foot into the tumbling rush

They began their wade beneath the pale moon

No sound save for the Sea's gentle hush.

Said the Moon unto that Sea,

"What new tenant have you earned?

I saw two bathers enter your chambers

But lo, only one now has returned."

Answered the Sea unto that Moon,

"A few steps more, a splash and a bump

Longing may drown a man's Soul

And a little leaven leavens the whole lump."