In the Valley

 

My soul, my long-divided soul

Seeking solace, tossed

In life’s raging tide

Wondering what your identity may be

Wondering through hostile grounds

Searching for the place of rest

 

Will you rest, my soul?

Can you? Should you?

 

Then my soul says,

“To rest I seek

But not at any cost

For that would not be rest.

Tired and weary I am

And I would gladly rest

If, in my tiredness I could smile,

If, in my weariness I could laugh,

If, when I shed tears, they be of joy and relief.

 

“But such is not my lot as yet

And so, to rest is but foreign to me –

not in knowledge

but in living

 

“And now, I must hurry to find my rest

So, when my strength fails to aid my sprint

I’ll trot;

When to trot I no longer can

I’ll walk;

And, when to walk is beyond my strength

I’ll limp and I’ll crawl –perhaps one day, one beautiful day, I say

I’ll rest and smile