The Hermit

What drives the hermit to his cave? The same thing that drives him out Need Though he is the most austere sort, living on berries and other wild things His dreams are human dreams Not to build castles or collect treasure but to be whole and feel at peace Foraging for daily sustenance Hearing the whisper of life clearly No distractions but those of innocent animals gathering with him from dawn to dusk Recreating fire only when needed for warmth Not fearing the dark because God is in that as well But sometimes watching the dancing flames is reason enough to put spark to wood. A life of contemplation is not as easy as it may seem The heart often pulls at him to participate in the joining of humanity Can it really be better to be alone? Is anyone really better or alone? He holds no contempt for those who let their every need distract them He views their folly with the same humor as he views his own But to hear Gods voice clearly as He moves through the trees Finding no need of covering besides the clothes God provided Sleeping in a bed of moss covered only by the night air Trusting- ever trusting in in the light of a new day When each day ends there is only one concern With whom should he share his tribulation and triumph and why Who could appreciate the babbling brook, the rustling leaves, the mirror lake moved by the winds touch? The songs, the many songs sung with abandon The moans of hunger and contentment the sighs of "all is well" Nature contends with the heart when every spring comes The joys of joining beckon