the spirit inspires this hand
and this hand forages on for
a better understanding
how difficult can it be for man
to even adequately comprehend
that a just life lived
is a life worthy of such spiritual
spend
to learn is to grow
to grow is to further define
not only the course of the vessel
that carries such precious cargo
yet in a deeper sense
the cargo itself
for man's mistakes
too often teach the greatest
yet known lessons
to the so perfect soul
how quickly brilliance can die
but inspiration always resurfaces
and attempts to patch the gaps
in each vessel's defect
fighting off guilt as it goes
the worst carnivore of one's mind
(Dec. 22, 1998)