Steeped in history, grounded by geology, he as well harbors passion
for the stars, and all this comes through in his work, January 2, that
covers an event recent in his life. I thank the stars for our long lasting
friendship from college days and am happy to share a wisdom that
comes from wisdom herself, who dwells in him and walks among us.
Thou art greatly to be praised in Sion, O Lord of Hosts,
Unto thee will the vow be performed in Jerusalem.
O, Thou who hearest the prayer,
Unto Thee all flesh shall come.
From Psalm 65, in the old Book of Common Prayer
January 2
by Robert West
Raindrops fall like seconds from the roof,
They pool until a gradient is reached and then flow on.
Do my seconds and hours flow like so?
Does time course on as water does?
Which should I choose to number the days of my life?
Water pools and slows, then rushes on its way,
Through cataracts and cascades,
Down to the final fullness of the sea.
And, to the mind, so does time.
The tedium of sunless days, oh, so long;
The joy of bursting sunlight, oh, so brief;
Until that last moment which contains all time.
Perhaps I should count my steps instead.
Yes, I'd like to do that.
I can pause while walking, prolong the moment,
Start and stop as I please.
I can play games with myself,
With counting and perceiving.
But the day will come, when gaming ends,
And emptiness, not fullness, is all that will remain.
Even so, I have seen rainbows and glories, and
Flaming arrows streak across the sky.
So, should grace allow, I'll sing with my last breath,
And with my soul I shall dance.
