OH JOY, UNBRIDLED JOY

OH JOY, UNBRIDLED JOY

Oh joy, unbridled joy, to be born in this day and age.

The earth it sings to you and me, its wisdom strong and sage.                    

Your future could go either way on this your next trip through,

Whatever lives you have lived before right now ere lost to you.

Your heart your only compass will tell you what to do.

Steeped in fabled wisdom, the Chef prepares his stew.

Oh joy, unbridled joy, to live out in the world,

Your footsteps treading brave new paths,

The desert sands they simmer and swirl,

The oceans flaunt their oyster pearls,

Many mysteries lurk in this sainted salty brine,

The path unfolds before you, the golden sunlight shines and shimmers,

The moon and stars they sparkle, at eventide they waltz and glimmer.

Like a mobile around a baby's cradle, steady, sure it twirls,

The years they come and the years they pass, nothing golden ever lasts.

Into each life comes a little pain, some drenching rain falls down,

Testing out your mettle with a strange discordant sound.

On you venture undeterred, you find your life's sweet calling,

With manna from heaven falling, you feed your hungry soul,

You find friends and lovers, you surrender control,

You dream, deduce and reproduce, you sometimes play it fast and loose,

On your shoulders you carry the weight of the scales,

Dreams die and diminish and sometimes they disappear,

As the plrate ships let out their sails,

You stand in strange astonishment and wonder what you're doing here.

Why the pirates they peruse and plunder and secret away your treasure

Hiding from you your passion, your purpose and your pleasure.

Oh joy, sweet joy, at last you have turned old,

The winters and autumns also have their charms

When truth and authenticity are the gifts that fill our arms.

We gather at  the coffee house to share our aches and pains,

Illness comes, infirmities thin our waning ranks,

For each extra day of life we prayerfully give thanks.

Finally into the atmosphere. at last we die and disappear,

Floating as pure spirit in the august holy winds,

Living lifted out of time, the cycle it begins again.

Grace has been achieved at last, its shining light reflected,

At last we stand at God's right hand, our spirits now perfected.

-Bruce Potts

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