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
Copyright © Matthew Hees | Year Posted 2006
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