All of My Sorrows

Through, through and through the years I walked; Gathered around my garments, the grit and dust Everyday added to my luggage pieces of worries My poor back bent; And I looked up no more to see the light But he cried out and said, "If any man is burdened and heavy laden, let him come and I will give him rest" Round, round, around the deserts I roamed; Drained from my being, water and spirit Everyday took away from my substance bits of virtue My poor spirit broken; And I hoped no more to be refreshed But he cried out and said, "If any man thirsts, let him come to me and drink" Tossed, tossed, tossed about on life's troubled seas; Buried my mind, in countless unceasing troubles Everyday shortened my calm by the lengths of aches My poor mind crazy; And I doubted the vision But he cried out and said, "Peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, do I give to you" Groped, fumbled, scrabbled in blazing darkness Bound my soul, in numerous perfidies Everyday the dark one strengthened his claim by force of my flesh My poor soul deadened; And I sank deeper into the mire But he cried out and said, "Come let us reason together, though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them white like snow" Stumbling, floundering, blundering from folly to folly Attached my intellect to blind, sightless guides Everyday added confusion, unresolvable thoughts Poor me unenlightened; And I could not see beyond my nose Even then he cried out and said, "O you simple, understand wisdom, receive my instruction and not silver; knowledge rather than choice gold" And I, I lay at his feet and whimpered, "My Lord and My God"